FHSU Athletics
FORT SMITH, Ark. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team returned to the win column in dramatic fashion Saturday, rallying from two sets down to defeat Arkansas-Fort Smith in five sets, 18-25, 21-25, 25-18, 25-22, 15-13. The Tigers improve to 10-8 overall and 2-7 in conference play with the win, while the Lions dip to 11-8 on the year and 3-5 in MIAA action.
The teams traded blows all afternoon, combining for 31 ties and 16 lead changes across the five sets. FHSU kept things close early in the first set, leading as late as 11-10 before a UAFS charge turned a 14-14 tie into a 19-14 Lion edge. The Tigers then scored three in a row, including a pair of Delaney Gish service aces, closing within two, before the Lions pulled away again to take the frame, 25-18.
Fort Hays State led for much of the second set, but never by more than three points. The Tigers scored three in a row on a kill from Ashlyn Reeves, a block from Reeves and Caiya Stucky and a Grace Schmedding service ace to build a 19-16 lead, but UAFS quickly responded by scoring four of the next five to tie things at 20. A kill from Gracie Rains put FHSU up 21-20 before the Lions scored five in a row to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match, 25-21.
Four Schmedding kills and two more Gish service aces helped the Tigers take control early in the third set, with FHSU scoring 10 of the first 14 points. Fort Hays State continued to pour it on, later leading by as many as eight before another Schmedding kill handed the Tigers a 25-18 win.
After Schmedding dropped in six kills in the third set, she continued to dominate in the fourth frame, totaling seven kills. Fort Hays State never trailed in the set, scoring four of the first five points to set the tone. The Tigers kept the lead at or above two points for the majority of the set before the Lions scored two in a row to close within 19-18. Kills from Ella Goodwin and Schmedding helped FHSU regain the momentum before a kill from Reeves secured the 25-22 victory, sending things to a deciding fifth set.
Neither side led by more than two in a fifth set that included 11 ties and five lead changes. A 4-1 Tiger run helped FHSU go in front, 12-10, before the home team rattled off three in a row to retake control, 13-12. The Tigers punched right back, leveling the score at 13 on a Schmedding kill before Rains helped FHSU reach match point with a kill. Fort Hays State completed the rally following a Lion miscue, taking the final set 15-13.
The teams posted nearly identical attack percentages, with FHSU holding a slim lead .225 (72-26-204) to .223 (67-23-197). The Tigers combined for 11 team blocks, including seven from Taytum Lovesee (two solo).
Schmedding led all players with 23 kills while adding 17 digs, two blocks and one service ace. Kirsten Evans racked up 24 digs, seven assists and one service ace, with Stucky contributing 53 assists, two kills and two blocks. Rains had 19 kills, while Goodwin and Reeves both chipped in 11 kills each.
UP NEXT
Fort Hays State will conclude a three-match road trip next Friday when they travel north to take on No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney. That match is slated to begin at 6 p.m.