FHSU Athletics
WICHITA, Kan. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team cruised to a straight-set victory over the Newman Jets on Friday, winning 25-11, 25-13, 25-14. The Tigers (7-8, 1-5 MIAA) recorded just nine attack errors on the day, their first match with fewer than 10 errors in nearly two years (8 vs. Missouri Southern, 10/15/21).
The Tigers took an early lead in the opening set, trading points with the Jets (0-13, 0-6) until a seven-point Tiger run gave FHSU a 10-point advantage, 17-10. Gracie Rains dropped in three kills during the run, with Brooke Hyland adding a service ace and Emily Ellis and Mya Vandrovec combining for a block to push the lead to double figures. Riley Tinder brought the set to a close, rattling off the final four kills for the Tigers, including three in a row to clinch the win.
Fort Hays State went on a big run earlier in the second set, scoring eight in a row to sprint out to a 9-2 lead. Tinder added three more kills during the run alongside one kill from Ashlyn Reeves and one service ace from Emily Ellis. Vandrovec later ended the set with her third kill of the frame.
The Tigers never trailed in the final set, scoring the first two points before rattling off 13 in a row to quickly lead 15-1. Seven different Tigers recorded a kill in the final set, including two each from Ellis, Claire Olson, Tinder and Kirsten Evans.
Fort Hays State finished the match with a season-best attack percentage of .340 (42-9-97) while limiting the Jets to a swing rate of .019 (23-21-107). The Tigers held an 8-4 advantage in blocks while leading in digs, 56-38.Tinder paced the team with 11 kills while adding 12 digs. Rains added eight kills, while Olson recorded a team-best six blocks (two solo) alongside five kills. Evans dished out 16 assists, with Caiya Stucky adding 13. Andressa Ribeiro Soares posted a team-best 13 digs.
The Tigers will now return home for their next six matches, beginning Thursday (Oct. 5, 6 p.m.) against Missouri Western.