FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
EMPORIA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team cruised to a three-set victory over Emporia State Friday (Oct. 7), moving to 16-4 overall and 4-3 in MIAA play. The Hornets dipped below .500 for the year, falling to 9-10 and 2-5 in conference play after the loss. Sixteen wins marks the best 20-game start for the Tigers since 2004 (18-2).
It was the second victory over ESU for the Tigers this season, marking the first time FHSU has captured multiple victories in the same season over its in-state rival since 1988.
The Tigers hit .191 as a team, holding the Hornets to a .120 attack percentage with seven total blocks. FHSU recorded five service aces in the match without recording a receiving error on defense.
Crystal Whitten recorded her 11th double-double of the season, tallying 15 kills and 13 digs while adding two service aces. Three other Tigers reached double-digits in digs, with Kailey Klibbe leading with 19, Chandler Hillman contributing 14 and Hannah Wagy chipping in 11. The senior setter led the match with 38 assists, adding three block assists. Rebekah Spainhour added nine kills and four total blocks.
The Tigers made a miraculous comeback in the first set, taking their first lead of the match at 25-24. The Hornets took a quick 5-0 lead, prompting a timeout from coach Kurt Kohler. FHSU closed within one at 8-7 behind multiple kills from Spainhour, but the Hornets maintained their lead with another run. The Tigers finally tied the score at 21 with an ESU attack error. The Hornets scored three of the next four to reach set point, but FHSU stepped up to win four-straight to capture the victory. A Callie Christensen kill returned serve to the Tigers before a kill from Megan Anderson leveled the score at 24. Whitten handed FHSU its first lead of the night with an ace before Anderson delivered the final blow, securing the victory.
Back-to-back service aces from Klibbe put the Tigers in front early in the second set, but the lead was short lived. It took four lead changes and nine ties, but the visitors finally locked down their two-set lead when Anderson once again threw down the final kill.
Fort Hays State came out of the locker room better than before, hitting an outstanding .429 in the final set to win by 10, 25-15. The Tigers never trailed in the set, scoring the first four points in the game. A six-point run later in the set gave FHSU a 13-5 lead, highlighted by three straight kills from Whitten. Anderson gave the Tigers a serve at match point with a kill before Wagy recorded the final kill of the match on a pass from Klibbe.
The Tigers will turn around and play No. 17 Washburn Saturday (Oct. 8) at 3 p.m. in Topeka, Kan. The Ichabods topped FHSU earlier this season in Hays, 3-1. WU will be coming off a big win after knocking off previously unbeaten Nebraska-Kearney in four sets Friday.