FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
HAYS, Kan – After dropping the first two sets, the Fort Hays State University volleyball team was unable to complete the comeback Saturday afternoon against No. 18 Washburn, falling in four sets. The Tigers battled out of the intermission to capture the third set, but the momentum was short-lived. FHSU moves to 13-2 this season and 1-2 in MIAA play, while the Ichabods are now 11-4 overall and 2-1 in conference action.
The Tigers were held to a .118 attack percentage in the match, their lowest of the season. However, FHSU improved its attack percentage in each set, closing the contest with a .179 hitting percentage in the fourth frame. The Ichabods countered with a .186 effort, with 11 of the 23 Washburn errors coming on blocks by FHSU. Both sides tallied 45 assists with the Tigers recording 64 digs to Washburn’s 60.
With the score tied at eight in the opening set, the Ichabods pulled away when they went on a 9-2 run to extend a 17-10 lead. Washburn rattled off the final four points to seal the 25-16 victory.
The Ichabods seemed to be cruising to another set victory in the second after taking a commanding 19-9 lead, allowing the Tigers back-to-back points just once during the stretch on blocks from Kylie Rollman and Callie Christensen. FHSU closed the gap to nine with a kill from Rebekah Spainhour and proceeded to score nine of the next 10 points to narrow the margin to just two, 24-22. Crystal Whitten delivered four kills down the stretch, but it was too little, too late as an Ichabod block halted the rally and handed Washburn a two-set lead.
Fort Hays State rallied out of the locker room, taking a 10-5 lead with Whitten serving to five-straight points. The Ichabods would never get within three points for the remainder of the set. An authoritative kill off Whitten’s left hand after a perfect pass from Hannah Wagy kept the Tigers alive with a 25-21 set victory.
The Tigers carried the momentum into the fourth set, quickly leading 6-2 thanks to multiple blocks from Wagy and Christensen. The Ichabods snatched the lead behind the powerful serving of Leanna Willer, helping the team to eight-straight points. The visitors stretched their lead to as many as eight (18-10) with a block before the Tigers drew within five on another block from Wagy and Christensen. Washburn then clamped down defensively, scoring four of the final seven points to close the match, 25-19.
Christensen swatted a career-high 10 total blocks in the match (two solo), fourth-most in the rally scoring era at FHSU (2001-current) and tied for second-most in a four-set match. The junior contributed five kills on the offensive side. Whitten delivered a game-high 18 kills and added nine digs. Ari Jacobsen led the team with 14 digs, with Wagy close behind at 13. Wagy posted a game-high 40 assists, adding two kills and two block assists.
Three Ichabods eclipsed 10 kills, with Leanna Willer leading the way at 14. The senior equaled libero Alyssa Carney’s total of 15 digs to lead the team.
The Tigers travel west to face off with Colorado Christian in a non-conference affair Tuesday evening (Sept. 27). First serve from Lakewood, Colo. is slated for 6 p.m. CDT (5 p.m. MDT). The Black and Gold will then return home for two more conference matches next weekend against No. 10 Central Missouri and Lindenwood.