HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team made quick work of Missouri Southern on Friday (Oct. 15), cruising past the Lions in straight sets, 25-17, 25-16, 25-15. Fort Hays State dominated in virtually every category, nearly doubling up the Lions in kills, 45-24. The Tigers are now 9-10 on the year and 3-7 in MIAA play, while Missouri Southern dips to 3-16 overall and 0-9 in league action.
The Tigers dominated at the middle of the net, with Emily Ellis and Morgan Christiansen combining for 19 kills and just one error. Christiansen led the team with 12 kills and zero errors on 18 attempts, posting a .667 attack percentage, while Ellis added seven kills and a swing rate of .429.
Missouri Southern led by as many as four early in the first set before FHSU got to work. Down 8-4, the Tigers scored 11 of the next 13 points to jump in front by five, 15-10. That run was capped off by six-straight points from the Tigers, including back-to-back kills from Ellis and a service ace from Elysia Glowacz. Christiansen later capped off the 25-17 win with her third kill of the set.
The Lions grabbed the first point of the second set before FHSU took control, scoring eight of the next nine to take an 8-2 lead. Missouri Southern managed to close within four on two occasions, but the Tigers had an answer for any small Lion run. Isabelle Reynolds took over for the Tigers in the second set, recording six kills in the frame, just three fewer than the entire MSSU lineup combined.
The Tigers continued to score in chunks in the third set, piling on the points while swinging a match-high .378 as a team (17-3-37). Christiansen helped the Tigers bring things to a close with six kills on nine attempts in the final set.
Reynolds recorded a double-double after finishing with 10 kills and 13 digs alongside two blocks (one solo). Riley Tinder added six kills and a team-high 18 digs, while Claire Olson added five kills. Elysia Glowacz totaled 18 assists and one service ace, while Olivia Hessman racked up 15 assists, three digs and two kills.
Fort Hays State will wrap up the weekend at home against Pittsburg State on Saturday (Oct. 16), with first serve slated for 2 p.m.
FHSU Athletics