By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team wrapped up its trip to the 2024 Mountain Lion Classic with a four-set victory over Cameron University on Saturday (Sept. 7), 25-19, 25-11, 20-25, 25-14. The Tigers move to 2-1 on the season, while the Aggies wrap up the opening weekend 0-4.
Fort Hays State took control early, never trailing in the first set. The Tigers turned a 7-7 tie into a 15-8 lead thanks to an 8-1 run. Gracie Rains fueled the run with three kills and an assisted block. The Tigers led by at least four the rest of the way, eventually taking the frame 25-19.
The Tigers only trailed once in the second set at 2-1. Another big run midway through the frame gave the Tigers a nine-point advantage when FHSU scored seven-straight points to go up 16-7. A kill from Grace Schmedding helped the Tigers reach set point before an Aggie miscue gave FHSU a 2-0 lead in the match.
After posting an attack percentage of .046 over the first two sets, Cameron bounced back with a swing rate of .447 in the third set. The score was tied 10 times in the frame before the Aggies pulled away to win, 25-20.
The teams traded punches early in the fourth set before a 9-2 Tiger run turned an 11-10 score into a 20-12 FHSU advantage. Schmedding finished things off with her eighth kill of the contest to seal the victory.
Rains led the team with 10 kills. Eleven different Tigers recorded at least one kill, including nine with multiple kills and five with five or more. Caiya Stucky distributed 23 assists, while Abrey Galt added 19 assists and eight digs. Tallon Rentschler led the team with 14 digs, with Kirsten Evans adding 13 digs and two service aces.
Rains was picked to the all-tournament team after totaling 38 kills across the three matches, averaging 2.92 kills per set. She added five blocks, one service ace and posted an attack percentage of .242.
Fort Hays State will return home to host the 2024 Tiger Classic next weekend (Sept. 13-14). The Tigers will take on UC-Colorado Springs in a rematch on Friday at 6 p.m. before FHSU battles Truman State (noon) and Northwestern Oklahoma State (6 p.m.) on Saturday.