FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State battled to a five-set win against Emporia State on Friday evening (Oct. 9), moving to 11-8 overall and 3-4 in the MIAA. The win pulled FHSU even with Emporia State (8-8, 3-4 MIAA) in the conference standings and snapped a six-match losing streak to the Hornets. FHSU won by scores of 25-10, 20-25, 25-16, 23-25, 15-11.
Fort Hays State took advantage of a flat Emporia State effort, jumping to a 7-0 lead in the first set before ESU finally got on the board. The Tigers received little resistance from the Hornets throughout the set as they ran away with the set by 15. FHSU hit .333 in the opening set and held ESU to a -.229 hitting percentage.
The Hornets showed signs of life early in the second set, jumping out to a 4-0 lead before FHSU crawled back to tie the set 11-11. However, too many unforced errors would cost the Tigers in the set as they committed five service errors and five attack errors that were not blocked, giving away 10 points. It proved too much with just a .190 attack percentage in the set as the Hornets won 25-20 to tie the match.
FHSU rebounded with another convincing win in the third set, 25-16, outhitting ESU .267 to .077. However, another sluggish start in the fourth set was too much to overcome in a 25-23 loss. The Tigers rallied midway through the set and eventually led 20-19 before giving up three of the final four points of the set following a 22-22 tie. By the end of the fourth set, the Tigers were outhitting the Hornets .231 to .098 but found themselves in a 2-2 tie.
The fifth set was tight throughout as the teams battled to an 11-11 tie. Fort Hays State found the burst it needed at the right time, reeling off four straight points to win the match. A Sydney Dixon kill and Kailey Klibbe service ace fueled the run, coupled with two hitting errors by the Hornets.
Crystal Whitten had a tremendous double-double effort of 23 kills and 16 digs. She hit .409 in the match. Mallory Flagor had a double-double with 15 kills and 14 digs. Hannah Wagy had 47 assists, and Kailey Klibbe led in digs with 20. Wagy also had a double-double, adding 18 digs to her assist total. Megan Anderson provided nine blocks (1 solo, 8 assisted).
FHSU outhit ESU .238 to .106 in the match. Both teams produced 12 points off blocks, but FHSU led in kills 60-53 and in digs 83-78.
Josie Williams led ESU with 15 kills, while Shayla Cotman added 11. Sydney Hartman had 25 assists and Kelly Holden had 26 digs.
The Tigers take on No. 12 Washburn on Saturday (Oct. 10) at 2 pm in Hays. FHSU handed Washburn its first loss of the season two weeks ago. The Ichabods are coming off a 3-0 road loss to No. 16 Nebraska-Kearney on Friday evening. The Ichabods are now 17-2 overall, 5-2 MIAA.