Box Score

The Tiger volleyball team defeated a winless Missouri Southern team 3-0 on Friday evening (Oct. 19) in Joplin, Mo. The Lions remained competitive throughout the match as the Tigers had to win two of the sets by two points. By scores of 25-23, 25-19, and 26-24, the Tigers moved to 21-8 overall and 5-5 in the MIAA.

One of Fort Hays State's biggest strengths this year has been the play of its middle hitters, but it was the outside hitters that stepped up to the challenge on a night where the middles struggled. Madison Schwartz had a big night with a team-high 12 kills, hitting .320 for the match, and a team-high 15 digs for a double-double. Sara Hewson was one kill behind with 11.

The Tigers trailed in the first set 23-22, but ran off three straight points to take the early match lead with kills by Kylee Hogland and Hewson coupled by an attack error by the Lions. In the third set, FHSU trailed 21-17 but went on a 7-1 run to go ahead 24-22. Missouri Southern countered with two straight points to force the win-by-two scenario, but a kill by Jenna Ulrich and an assisted block by Kayla Zoglman and Ulrich put the match away for the Tigers.

Zoglman also posted a double-double in the match with 38 assists and 11 digs. Makenzie Weinman also reached double figures in digs with 13.

Katie Politte led the Lions in kills with nine and she also had a team-high 15 digs. Sydney Potts led MSSU in assists with 20.

Fort Hays State plays at Southwest Baptist on Saturday (Oct. 20) at 4 pm in another conference match.