By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The Fort Hays State volleyball team dropped a hard-fought match against Missouri Western Thursday evening (Oct. 5) in four sets, 27-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-15. The Tigers (7-9, 1-6 MIAA) held leads in both the first and second sets, but the Griffons (12-4, 5-2 MIAA) managed to battle back and take each frame before winning in four.
The Tigers controlled things early on, leading by as many as eight in the opening set, 16-8. The Griffons closed within one thanks to a 10-3 run, 19-18, but the Tigers bounced back to lead by two, 23-21. MWSU scored the next three to reach set point, which the home team fought off twice before the Griffons clinched the win, 27-25.
Fort Hays State then led by as many as three on multiple occasions in the second set, including as late as 13-10 before a five-point spurt gave the Griffons the lead. FHSU scored the next two to tie things up at 15, but the visitors took care of business from that point, scoring 10 of the next 14 points to win 25-19.
The Tigers found their form in the third set, compiling 17 kills to just five errors on 41 attempts to post an attack percentage of .293 to extend the match, 25-21. A pair of Brooke Hyland service aces complimented the offense that was led by five kills from Emily Ellis and four kills on seven swings from Gracie Rains.
The Griffons bounced back in the final set, posting their best swing rate in a set at .242 thanks to just four errors. The Tigers fought back from an early five-point deficit to trail by one midway through the set, 10-9, before MWSU padded the lead to six on a 6-1 run.
Rains led the Tigers with 16 kills, with Ellis and Riley Tinderadding 10 kills each. Ashlyn Reeves turned away five blocks while adding six kills. Hyland paced the team with 16 digs, with Andressa Ribeiro Soares close behind with 15. Caiya Stucky distributed 39 assists and added one block assist.
Fort Hays State matched the Griffons in kills, 53-53, but finished the night with an attack percentage of .108 compared to a swing rate of .212 for the visitors. Each team picked up eight team blocks on the night.
The Tigers will continue their homestand Friday (Oct. 6) when they host Northwest Missouri State beginning at 6 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.