FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team fell to No. 16 Missouri Western State in straight sets, 25-17, 25-18, 25-22, on Thursday. The Tigers (15-12, 4-11 MIAA) picked up five more blocks than the Griffons (21-5, 13-2), totaling 11 blocks on the night.
Two early kills from Gracie Rains gave the Tigers a 9-6 early lead and helped the senior reach the 1,000-career kill plateau, becoming just the ninth Tiger to reach that milestone. Missouri Western battled back after that, using a 9-2 run to take the lead for good before maintaining that lead to take the set 25-17.
The Griffons continued the momentum in the second set, scoring the first six points to take early control. Despite trailing by as many as nine, 11-2, the Tigers didn't quit, closing within four multiple times. The Tigers matched the Griffons after the early start, scoring 18 points compared to 19 for the visitors, but the six quick points were enough to give MWSU a 25-18 win.
MWSU jumped in front early in the third, leading 5-1 before the Tigers made a run. The Tigers scored seven of the next nine points, taking the lead at 8-7. Four blocks in five rallies helped FHSU race in front, including two each from Rains and Carsyn Cormaney and two from Cormaney and Caiya Stucky Reyes.
Despite FHSU's efforts, Missouri Western responded with a run of its own, soon building a seven-point lead. The Tigers weren't finished, however, going on a 10-3 run to level the score at 20. Two more blocks from Cormaney and multiple kills from Grace Schmedding helped the Tigers tie things up, but the Griffons bounced back with a 5-2 run to finish off the 25-22 win.
Schmedding led the Tigers with 14 kills and added 10 digs, recording her fifth double-double of the season. Cormaney anchored the defense with seven total blocks, tied for the second most in a match by a Tiger this season. Reyes recorded 14 assists and nine digs, while also adding four kills and one ace. Galt contributed 17 assists and eight digs in the match.
With the win, the Griffons clinched at least a share of the 2025 MIAA regular season championship.
The Tigers will wrap up the regular season Friday evening at 6 p.m. against Northwest Missouri State, with Senior Night festivities to follow the match. Both the Tigers and the Bearcats need a win to secure the final spot in the MIAA Championship Tournament.