FHSU Athletics
TOPEKA, Kan. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team opened conference play with a four-set loss on the road against No. 2 Washburn Friday evening, 21-25, 22-25, 25-23, 17-25. The Tigers (5-4, 0-1 MIAA) handed Washburn (9-0, 1-0 MIAA) just its fourth dropped set of the season, but the efficient Ichabod offense was ultimately too much to overcome.
Washburn jumped out to an early lead in the first set, leading by as eight before the Tigers scored six in a row to close within two. Riley Tinder opened the run with a kill before Emily Ellis dropped in back-to-back service aces. Morgan Christiansen then picked up a solo block before teaming up with Caiya Stucky for another swat, while Tinder finished off the run with another kill to help the Tigers narrow the gap to 21-19. The Ichabods recovered down the stretch, winning four of the last six points to clinch the set, 25-21.
Fort Hays State led for much of the second set, going up by as many as five at 18-13 and leading as late as 19-18 before WU pulled in front. The Tigers broke open a 12-12 tie with a 6-1 run before the Ichabods finished things off with a 12-4 push.
Four early blocks helped Fort Hays State race in front in the third set,10-4, before a six-point Ichabod run leveled the score at 10. The Tigers regained control with a 9-2 run to lead by as many as seven, 19-12, but the Ichabods attempted another comeback. Washburn closed within one late, 24-23, but it was too little, too late as an Ellis kill gave FHSU the 25-23 win.
The Ichabods closed things out with a strong fourth set, posting a team hitting percentage of .472 in the final frame to win 25-17. Fort Hays State countered with their best statistical set as well, posting a swing rate of .206 with just four errors.
The Tigers posted an attack percentage of .135 for the match while WU countered with a swing rate of .270. Mykah Eshbaugh led the Tigers with 14 kills, while Riley Tinder tallied 12 kills and eight digs, while Jaida Felix dished out 21 assists. Libero Brooke Hyland led the Tigers with 11 digs alongside five assists and one service ace.
Before opening their home schedule next weekend, Fort Hays State plays on the road one final time Sunday (Sept. 10) beginning at 3 p.m. against Emporia State.