FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team captured the opening set against Emporia State Friday evening but ultimately fell in four sets to the Hornets, 25-17, 18-25, 22-25, 19-25.
The Tigers (15-10, 4-9 MIAA) came out of the gates on fire, posting an attack percentage of .429 in the opening set thanks to 18 kills and just three errors. Multiple kills from Gracie Rains and Caiya Stucky Reyes and a combo block from Carsyn Cormaney and Peyton Bergschneider helped FHSU race in front 8-4. The Hornets (19-5, 10-3 MIAA) battled back to pull within 9-8, but a 10-5 run helped the Tigers stretch the lead to six, 19-13. Cormaney teamed up with Ashlyn Reeves for another block to prompt an ESU timeout, but the visitors were unable to rally, with the Tigers eventually taking the set convincingly, 25-17.
The visitors battled back in the second set, jumping out to an 8-3 lead. The Tigers later trailed by as many as 10, but a four-point run helped the home team pull within four late in the frame, 22-18. But after a trio of errors, ESU regained its footing to take the set, 25-18.
Early on in the third set, the Tigers capitalized on Hornet errors, with Reyes and Reeves combining for key blocks. As the set progressed, the Tigers maintained pressure with a series of successful plays including a service ace by Grace Schmedding and kills from Cormaney and Reeves. The lead changed hands four times in the tightly contested set, with the Tigers leading as late as 17-16. However, the Hornets managed to edge out with a final score of 25-22.
A successful challenge helped the Tigers rally from an early three-point deficit to take an 8-7 lead in the fourth set, but the Hornets responded with seven-straight points to go up 14-8. ESU maintained its lead the rest of the way, with FHSU later scoring four in a row to hold off match point before one final Hornet kill brought things to a close.
Reeves led the way with six blocks and eight kills, while Rains matched the team lead with eight kills. Abrey Galt distributed 23 assists alongside 11 digs and four kills, with Reyes adding 17 assists and five kills. Schmedding tallied two service aces and 14 digs, tied with Bergschneider for the most digs by a Tiger in the match.
The Tigers will wrap up the weekend Saturday afternoon (Nov. 11) at 1 p.m. when they host No. 6 Washburn.