FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State fell in straight sets to No. 9 ranked Nebraska-Kearney on Tuesday evening at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Lopers were scorching hot on the attack, winning by scores of 25-16, 25-9, and 25-8 to improve to 18-1 overall and 8-1 in the MIAA. The Tigers moved to 7-11 overall and 1-8 in the MIAA.
The Lopers only got hotter on the attack as the match progressed, hitting .355 in the first set, .450 in the second set, and then .480 in the third set. The Tigers were unable to get any runs going against the Lopers as UNK's sideout percentage in the first set was 87 percent, then they were a perfect 100 percent in sideout percentage in the second and third sets. UNK had 39 kills to just seven errors in the match on just 76 attempts, hitting .421 for the match.
Taylor Hawkins led the Tigers in kills with seven, followed by Emily Ellis and Gracie Rains each with five. Calva Stucky had 15 assists and Hawkins had a team-high nine digs. Claire Olson had a team-high six blocks for the Tigers.
Five of the UNK attackers went errorless in the game, led by an eight-kill effort from Abby Rose. Peyton Neff recorded 35 assists and Lauren Taubenheim led UNK in digs with nine. Rose also had a team-high three blocks for UNK.
The Tigers will host Missouri Southern (Friday, Oct. 13) and Central Missouri (Saturday, Oct. 14) this weekend at Gross Memorial Coliseum. Both matches are set to begin at 6 p.m.