By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team took the opening set at Central Missouri Saturday evening (Sept. 28) before the Jennies rallied to win in four sets, 25-23, 15-25, 13-25, 16-25. The Tigers are now 9-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play after seeing their eight-match winning streak come to an end, while the Jennies move to 5-6 on the year and 1-1 in MIAA contests.
The teams battled back and forth throughout a first set that included 13 ties and five lead changes. The Tigers trailed by four early before using a 7-1 run to go on top by three, 12-9. The lead changed hands four more times after that rally, with the Tigers ultimately taking the set on a Jennie error. The Tigers posted an attack percentage of .389 in the first set, compiling 17 kills and just three errors on 36 attempts.
Central Missouri responded in a big way, taking the next three sets to win the match. UCM finished the night with a swing rate of .346 (59-13-113), compared to an attack percentage of .193 (48-20-145) for the Tigers.
Gracie Rains led Fort Hays State with 13 kills, with Grace Schmedding adding 11 kills. Taytum Loveseetallied four kills and a team-high four blocks. Kirsten Evans paced the Tigers with 10 digs, with Caiya Stuckydistributing 31 assists alongside four kills and seven digs.
The Tigers will open a five-match homestand next weekend during Homecoming when FHSU hosts Northwest Missouri State on Friday (Oct. 4, 6 p.m.) and Missouri Western on Saturday (Oct. 5, 2 p.m.)
Friday
JOPLIN, Mo. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team defeated Missouri Southern Friday evening (Sept. 27) in the 2024 conference opener for both teams, winning in four sets – 25-22, 25-17, 21-25, 25-20. The Tigers are now 9-1 overall and 1-0 in MIAA play after winning their eighth-consecutive match, while the Lions dip to 2-10 on the year and 0-1 in league action.
This eight-match winning streak is the longest for the Tigers since FHSU opened the 2016 season with 12-straight wins. Friday was also the first time FHSU won its opening MIAA contest since 2009.
Stats from the match were not immediately available due to a technical malfunction.