FHSU Athletics
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team saw its winning steak come to an end Friday evening (Nov. 3), with the Tigers falling to Missouri Western in four sets, 21-25, 26-24, 13-25, 23-25. Fort Hays State (11-15, 5-12 MIAA) rallied from a first set defeat to take the second frame, but the Griffons (19-7, 12-5) took control the rest of the way.
Missouri Western built a seven-point lead early in the first set, 13-6, before the Tigers went on a 10-3 run to tie things up at 16. FHSU eventually took the lead at 18-17 and led as late as 20-19, but MWSU recovered to score six of the final seven points to secure a 25-21 win.
The Griffons led by four midway through the second set before the Tigers rallied to jump in front, with FHSU scoring five in a row to go up 21-19. FHSU later led by three, 23-20, before the home team scored four in a row to reach set point. A serve into the net returned the ball to the Tigers, who scored the next two points including a combo block from Taylor Hawkins and Emily Ellis to level the match at one set each.
The teams traded points early in the third set before Missouri Western pulled away with a big run, turning an 11-9 lead into a 25-13 win thanks to a 14-4 run. The Griffons led by five early in the fourth set before the Tigers fought back to take the lead at 15-14. The lead was short-lived, however, with MWSU going back on top for good at 18-17. FHSU scored one point down 24-22 to prolong the match, but a block on the final point sealed the win for the Griffons.
Claire Olson led the Tigers with 13 kills and six blocks (one solo), while Ashlyn Reeves had nine kills and also totaled six blocks. Riley Tinder and Hawkins each added nine kills. Brooke Hyland recorded 21 digs and Caiya Stucky distributed 39 assists in the match.
Fort Hays State will look to bounce back Saturday (Nov. 4) when they take on Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo. beginning at 3 p.m.