By MAYAN PAZ Photos by ELLIE HEDMAN
Tiger Media Network
FHSU volleyball entered Saturday’s match against Central Missouri with an impressive 12-1 overall record, including a 1-0 start in MIAA play after winning in five sets versus Missouri Southern State on Friday. Against MSSU, Peyton Bergschneider and Carsyn Cormaney led the team, with 14.5 and 13.5 points, respectively.
Peyton Bergschneider spikes the ball during warmups. 
Carsyn Cormaney gives her teammates high-fives during starting lineups. 
FHSU greets Missouri Southern at the net. 
The team gathers before the first set of the night. 
Ella Goodwin and Ashlyn Reeves working together at the net to block the ball. 
Ella Goodwin clapping after a good volley. 
Ella Goodwin waiting for a serve. 
Kirsten Evans waiting for a serve to come her way. 
The Tigers work together to keep the ball up. 
Ella Goodwin and Annie Eaton talking about the next play. 
Ella Goodwin and her teammate blocking the ball. 
The Tigers gather after a point. 
Peyton Bergschneider waiting for the serve to come her way. 
Grace Schmedding serves up the ball. 
The Tigers cheer on each other after a good play. 
Grace Schmedding getting ready to serve the ball. 
Ella Goodwin hits the ball while her teammates are there for backup. 
The Tigers work together to keep the ball moving.
Despite coming off a victory, FHSU dropped the match against the Jennies 3-0.
Fort Hays State (12-2, 1-1) started the game against Central Missouri (8-3, 1-1) somewhat out of focus, dropping to a quick 6-1 deficit early on. The Tigers got it back to a one-point game, 7-6, but could not find their way to completely get back into the game, and the Jennies ran away with it, finishing the first set with a 25-20 win.
The Tigers found their groove in the second set and played a solid, even game, leading 14-13 in the middle of the set. This time, the Tigers lost some momentum and fell to a 20-16 deficit, which was too much to overcome, as the Jennies won another set at the same 25-20 score.
The third set saw some more of the same; the Tigers found themselves down 14-8, having to climb from another hole. The closest FHSU got was two points before UCM won the final set 25-20.
Caiya Reyes performed well despite the loss, providing 10 points with an impressive 58% hitting rate. She spoke about how the team felt after the game.
“I think today we progressed back into old habits, which is something we’ve been really working hard to break throughout the pre-season,” she said. “We’re all leaving today angry and with a chip on our shoulder that’s going to carry into this upcoming week of practice and then future games.”
Having lost for the first time in nearly a month, the team faced unfamiliar territory in the locker room after the match. However, Reyes said the team has already moved on and is ready for the next round of games.
“We allowed ourselves to point the finger at other people, rather than taking accountability for our own actions, which is something really easy to do in a game where six people are on the court,” she said. “But that’s been addressed, recognized, and we are moving forward with a soldier’s strength.”
This week, FHSU will go on the road to face Northwest Missouri State (6-5, 0-2) and Missouri Western State (9-4, 1-1) on Friday and Saturday. The Tigers don’t play at home again until October 17.