Story by CAYDEN SANDERS Photos by KATIE KUHLMAN, ALLI HORNUNG & KHADIJA BA
Tiger Media Network
The Fort Hays State University volleyball team competed in the Tiger Classic this weekend in Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers entered the Classic with a 2-1 record after attending the Mountain Lion Classic last weekend.
FHSU went undefeated at home after facing University Colorado – Colorado Springs, Truman State, and Northwestern Oklahoma State University and are now 5-1 on the season.
“Well I think that it feels amazing being able to win the tournament, but Gracie Rains said it the best. We have been talking about all pre-season that pressure is a privilege. They really have bought into it, and I think that they thrived under pressure,” FHSU Head Coach Jessica Wood-Atkins said.
In addition to adding three wins to their resume, the Tigers avenged their loss to UCCS in the Mountain Lion Classic during the first game of this weekend’s games.
“I think all of us are really happy that we were able to [aveng] our only loss of the season,” junion setter Caiya Stucky said. “We competed at their gym, and so when we were able to get them here, I think a lot of us were relieved and happy we got the win.”
During the rematch, the Tigers won 3-0 (27-25, 25-10, 25-14). FHSU went on five runs of four points or more and their biggest rally was a 12-point run in the second set.
On day two of the Tiger Classic, the Tigers took on Truman State. FHSU won 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-18, 25-23). In the Tiger Classic finale, FHSU and NWOSU played to the fifth set. Ultimately Fort Hays State came out on top 3-2 (26-24, 25-21, 17-25, 21-25, 15-6) .
The match was another back and forth battle until the beginning of the fifth set when FHSU scored four straight points. Later the Tigers went on another four-point rally to finish the Tiger Classic.
FHSU put three players on the All-Ckassic Team: Caiya Stucky, Grace Schmedding, and tournament MVP Gracie Rains.
“Having the privilege of being one of the leaders on this team, is amazing,” Stucky said. “In five-set matches just like the one we were in, knowing that the girls and the coaches around me that trust me on and off the court is a great feeling.”
Wood-Atkins expressed her thoughts about the team so far.
“I would not change a thing about this team, I think that we have so many strengths in different areas so if one side is struggling we are able to pick it up from the other side,” Wood-Atkins said. “I think that is a testament to this team, I think we have an incredible bench that I can call any one of them and they are ready.”
FHSU will be on the road for another multi-team event this week at the SBU Invitational on Friday and Saturday, competing against Truman State, Ouachita Baptist, and Southwest Baptist.
FHSU vs UCCS
FHSU vs Truman State
FHSU vs NWOSU
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