By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The Fort Hays State volleyball team fell in straight sets Saturday afternoon (Oct. 1) against Northwest Missouri State, 14-25, 10-25, 21-25. The Tigers (6-10, 1-7 MIAA) led early in the first set and for much of the third set, but the Bearcats (12-4, 6-2) used an efficient offensive attack to take the match in three sets.
The Bearcats pulled away midway through the opening set with a 10-3 run before scoring 12 of the first 14 points in the second set to quickly lead by 10. Fort Hays State kept things close in the third set, taking an early lead and hanging on until a late Bearcat rally. The Tigers led by as many as three, 17-14, before NWMSU scored four in a row to take the lead. Fort Hays State tied things up at 18 before Northwest scored seven of the final 10 points to complete the victory.
After totaling 12 errors across the first two sets, Fort Hays State committed just three in the third set. The Tigers combined for an attack percentage of .270 in the final set and .134 for the match, with Morgan Christiansen leading the way with eight kills and just one error on 16 swings (.438). Gracie Rains chipped in seven kills, while Mykah Eshbaugh had five.
Jaida Felix paced the team with 17 assists and Jaden Daffer led the way with 10 digs. Kirsten Evans tallied a pair of service aces, with Riley Tinder and Emily Ellis each adding one ace.
Fort Hays State is back in action Tuesday (Oct. 4) when the Tigers host Emporia State beginning at 6 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.