By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
EDMOND, Okla. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team dropped a three-set match against the 13th-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos on Thursday (Oct. 17), falling 21-25, 21-25, 15-25. The Tigers (9-8, 1-7 MIAA) had more service aces and the same number of attack errors as the Bronchos (19-1, 6-1 MIAA), but a 20-dig advantage for the home team helped UCO secure the win.
FHSU scored first before the Bronchos rattled off seven-straight points. UCO later led by as many as seven before the Tigers battled back to close within two. Trailing 20-13, FHSU scored seven of the next nine points to pull within 22-20. Grace Schmedding opened the run with a kill before Gracie Rains recorded a solo block. Rains, Ashlyn Reeves and Abrey Galt soon added kills to continue the run. UCO eventually took the set with a block, winning 25-21.
The Tigers again trailed 7-1 early in the second set before going on a 10-4 run to pull within 13-11. The Bronchos battled back to push its lead past five. Reeves dropped in back-to-back kills to keep the Tigers alive late in the set, prompting a UCO timeout. The home team came out of the huddle to secure the set with a kill, again winning 25-21. Multiple big runs helped the Bronchos pull away in the third set, completing the win with a 25-15 victory.
Fort Hays State posted an attack percentage of .098 (32-20-123), while UCO managed a swing rate of .226 (48-20-124). Schmedding and Rains each had two kills, with Reeves contributing six kills and three blocks. Caiya Stucky distributed 23 assists and led the team with 10 digs.
The Tigers will be back in action on Saturday (Oct. 19) when they take on Arkansas-Fort Smith beginning at 1 p.m. from Fort Smith, Ark.