Story by MAYAN PAZ Photos by DYLAN LU and RORY MOORE
Tiger Media Network
Entering the weekend, the Fort Hays University volleyball team was on its heels, losing four-straight matches without a single set victory during that span. The Tigers struggled again against No. 4 UCO on Friday, dropping the contest 3-0. However, FHSU regrouped on Saturday and defeated Arkansas-Fort Smith 3-1 to get back into the win column.
FHSU completes a successful block 
After the game was over, all the team members gathered together. 
All the team members gathered together to cheer each other up. 
The handshake and greetings between the two teams after the game ended 
FHSU prepares to receive an attack 
Ella Goodwin attacks the net 
FHSU prepares a serve 
FHSU executes a block at the net 
The Tigers celebrate a point against UCO
After gettings swept by UCO, the Tigers needed to change their mindset after the tough loss. Rightside hitter Ella Goodwin spoke about that challenge after the Tigers recovered and defeated UAFS.
“Honestly, I think it’s just about reset, getting your mind in the right place for the next game because you can’t dwell on it for too long,” Goodwin said. “So I think we came out with a really strong competitive mindset and focus, and I think that was really what made the difference, and we played as a team as well.”
Against the Lions, FHSU (14-7, 3-6) started slow in the first set, falling 25-20. In the second set, the FHSU players improved their hitting percentages and shot selection, and won 25-18 to tie the game. This was the first set the Tigers won after dropping 16 consecutive sets, and it led to a close, back-and-forth, third set, which the Tigers were able to win in a tie-break, 26-24. The energy from winning the third set carried the Tigers forward, and they completed a 3-1 win with a comfortable 25-19 win.
FHSU Head Coach Jessica Wood-Atkins said the players were able to execute better after a slow start in the first set.
“I think our hitters were coming in for a fastball, and the setters just weren’t able to get them the fastball that first [set], even though that was a part of the game plan. And so they were working the game plan. It just wasn’t quite clicking right away,” she said. “But I think when we told them they need to slow down, they need to give the pass a second to get to the net, that made a lot of difference. But the defenders on our side were also talking to our hitters and telling them what was open. And so instead of just going and swinging, they knew what the opportunities were.”
The Tigers run onto the court at Gross Memorial Coliseum. 
Middle Blocker Carysn Cormaney high-fives her teammates during her introduction. 
Outside Hitter Peyton Bergschneider blocks a shot from Arkansas-Fort Smith. 
Cormaney leaps to prevent a Lions kill. 
Bergschneider takes a shot into Lions court. 
Outside Hitter Grace Schmedding starts regulation after a Tiger kill. 
Schmedding strikes with assistance from Libero Kirsten Evans. 
Schmedding dives to deflect a Lion shot. 
Schmedding gets kudos from the team after being substituted. 
Setter Abrey Galt sets up a Tiger attack for Middle Blocker Ashlyn Reeves. 
Reeves executes a shot from Galt’s assistance. 
Bergschneider attempts to strike past a Lion defender. 
Ashlyn Reeves and Gracie Rains block a Lion strike. 
Galt sets up a pass by Reeves. 
Celebrating a Fort Hays score. 
Bergschneider produced 17 digs and one ace. 
The Tigers celebrate their 3-1 victory over Arkansas-Fort Smith after bouncing back from their first set loss.
Wood-Atkins also said that after the UCO loss, the team openly discussed the changes that they have to make in order to improve their chances of winning games.
“I think the discussion was pretty honest that when we’re playing teams like it’s in the top five, you can’t afford to not go after balls or to make unforced errors. And I think that everybody kind of did a little self-evaluation and realized they didn’t give everything that they had, and they didn’t play as clean as they could, and they agreed today that they were going to stay together and they were going to hold each other accountable,” she said. “And I think that’s what they did.”
The Tigers are still sitting at 8th in the MIAA standings. They have a one-game lead over three teams, and are half a game behind the Lions in 7th spot. The Tigers will face the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Gross Memorial Coliseum.