{"id":68758,"date":"2022-10-26T08:27:07","date_gmt":"2022-10-26T13:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=68758"},"modified":"2022-10-26T08:27:10","modified_gmt":"2022-10-26T13:27:10","slug":"volleyball-drops-home-match-to-lopers-3-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=68758","title":{"rendered":"Volleyball drops home match to Lopers 3-1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BY RAEGAN NEUFELD
PHOTOS BY MADISON SHAPLAND<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite their Tuesday night game with #8 Nebraska-Kearney resulting in a loss, the Tigers proved they can compete with a top-ten team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After losing the first set 25-16, Fort Hays (10-15, 5-12 MIAA) bounced back to win the second, 25-17. However, the Lopers (24-3, 14-3 MIAA) closed out the game with the following two sets, winning 25-21 and 25-19. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe knew in the past that [UNK] has been one of the top teams in our conference and they\u2019re obviously really consistent,\u201d said outside hitter Riley Tinder. \u201cI think the biggest takeaway is that we can play with these teams. We\u2019re just as good as these teams; we just have to believe it ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Head Coach Jessica Wood-Atkins, the difference between the first and second set was made defensively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe talked about making those adjustments, and when we did, we won,\u201d she said. \u201cReally it was working on the adjustment plan, recognizing where they wanted to hit, being in the right positions and more importantly, getting a good touch on that first pass.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tinder led the Tigers with 13 kills. Behind her were fellow outside hitters Gracie Rains and Mykah Eshbaugh with 10 and eight kills respectively. Three Tigers reached double digits in digs as well, led by libero Jaden Daffer who had 20. Tinder recorded 15 and defensive specialist Brooke Hyland recorded 12. As a team, FHSU served 95.1 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been working really hard on playing steady,\u201d Wood-Atkins said. \u201cNot getting caught in the end result, not getting caught in the beginning, but really being present in the moment point-for-point. I think we did that and it was a really enjoyable game to watch, but we played a more focused match when we took that approach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lopers did manage to be more efficient on offense, recording 53 kills compared to the Tigers\u2019 44. Individually, Bailee Sterling and Emilee Rowse led UNK in kills with 16 and 13. The Lopers also played a better defensive game, recording 72 digs while FHSU had 58.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With three games left in the regular season, Wood-Atkins said her team is taking it one game at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs always, we\u2019re focusing on the next day and next play,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s going to be our focus, is who\u2019s our next opponent. It\u2019s Northwest Missouri and we\u2019re going after them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tigers travel to Maryville, MO to take on the Bearcats on Friday. The game will start at 6:00 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The FHSU Volleyball team celebrates their win of the second set against the 8th-ranked Kearney Lopers. \u201cKearny kept us on our toes and made us work for everything,\u201d said Jaida Felix. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Emily Ellis and Riley Tinder jump for a block. Ellis snaps the ball back into the Lopers ground, snatching a block for the Tigers.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Caiya Stucky sets Ellis up.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Ellis tips the ball right over Loper defenders. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Tinder, Christiansen, and Eshbaugh triple blocked a swing from Kearny\u2019s middle hitter. This ends up working well for the Tigers as they achieve a big block.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Felix makes a set to the outside hitter. \u201cWe\u2019ve been working on focusing on one thing at a time and not getting ahead of ourselves,\u201d said Felix. \u201cWe took things one point at a time tonight, staying present and not looking ahead.\u201d\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Tinder sneaks a kill during the second set.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Mykah Eshbaugh and Morgan Christiansen come together to block a Kearny attack. \n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
A call was made by the refs. Christiansen points out that the ball was out.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Eshbaugh swung with good-placement, giving the Tigers another kill to add to their 44 of the night.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Christiansen with another block, giving the Tigers 11 for the night.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Defensive Specialist Brooke Hyland and Libero Jaden Daffer both go after a ball during the game. Even though there was a miscommunication, the pass was still playable and the Tigers sent the ball over the net.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Head coach Jessica Wood-Atkins speaks to the team during the game, making sure the opposing team can\u2019t see what she\u2019s telling her girls.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Tinder scrambles to save the ball by fist bumping it over the net. \u201cObviously, you look at Kearny and they\u2019re one of the top teams in the conference,\u201d said Tinder. \u201cThis match gave us confidence in our ability to play with them and other top teams. It gave us a sense that when we see them next, we\u2019ll know what to do.\u201d\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Christiansen with an aggressive swing.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Ellis hustles to dive for a tipped ball during the matchup. \u201cWe want to keep climbing and not be complacent or satisfied. Our goal is to get the points that win the match,\u201d said Felix.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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