FHSU Athletics
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team fell to No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney in the quarterfinal round of the 2025 MIAA Championship Tournament on Thursday, going down in four sets, 20-25, 26-24, 18-25, 14-25. The Tigers (16-13) racked up a season-high 13 total blocks in the win, two more than the Lopers (27-3) on the day.
A block by Caiya Stucky Reyes and Ashlyn Reeves gave the Tigers an early 4-3 lead before the Lopers slowly built a six-point lead. Trailing 19-13, the Tigers managed a late surge with kills from Ella Goodwin, Reyes and Grace Schmedding, closing the gap to two, 20-18. But the Lopers bounced back to take four of the final five points, taking the first set 25-20.
Fort Hays State opened the second set with a service ace from Annie Eaton before the block party started. Reeves gave FHSU a 4-3 lead with a solo block before Reeves and Ella Goodwin teamed up for a trio of blocks to help push the margin to 10-5.
The Tigers extended their advantage to 20-13 with efficient play, highlighted by kills from Reeves, Goodwin and Schmedding. However, Nebraska-Kearney staged a late rally, closing the gap to 21-20 and later leveling the score at 24. But a block from Reeves and Schmedding and a Reyes service ace helped the Tigers take the frame, 26-24.
The Black and Gold carried the momentum into the third set, recording three early blocks to take an 8-5 lead. The Lopers soon took control, scoring the next five points and 13 of the next 16 to race in front by seven, 18-11. Three kills from Schmedding helped Fort Hays State claw back within two, 20-18, but the Lopers captured the final five points to take the frame, 25-18.
The teams exchanged points early in the fourth set, with Schmedding, Reyes and Goodwin contributing kills to make the score 7-7. However, Nebraska-Kearney gained momentum with a 13-2 run, quickly going in front 20-9 before completing the 25-14 win.
Reeves recorded 12 total blocks, tying the program's rally scoring era record (since 2001). Reeves added five kills, while Schmedding paced the team with 16 kills and 18 digs for her seventh double-double of the year. Reyes added six kills and five block assists, while Eaton facilitated the offense with 23 assists and one service ace.
The Tigers conclude the season with 16 wins and a team attack percentage of .192, both the highest total for the squad since 2016.