Box Score

Fort Hays State fell to Central Oklahoma in five sets on Saturday evening (Oct. 27) at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays. FHSU took the first and third sets of the match, but Central Oklahoma rallied to force a fifth set, which it won 15-13. The loss moved FHSU to 22-10 overall and 6-7 in the MIAA. The Bronchos moved to 12-13 overall and 7-7 in the MIAA.

The Tigers looked to be in control of the match after winning the first set 25-21 and then took a 9-2 lead in the second set. However, the Bronchos made a big rally to get back in the set and eventually clip the Tigers 25-23 to even the match.

FHSU trailed by five early in the third set, but used a big run midway through to build a six-point lead at 19-13. The Tigers went on to win the set 25-19.

FHSU was in an early hole in the fourth set, down 10-4, but rallied back to tie at 12-12. After a 15-15 tie, the Bronchos inched away from the Tigers the rest of the way to win 25-20 and force the decisive set. In that set, the Tigers held an 11-8 lead, but could not find a way to seal the deal as UCO rallied to tie the set and then eventually break a 13-13 tie with the final two points for the win. The Bronchos scored the final two points on blocks.

Both teams played hard on defense, forcing several long rallies in the match. Central Oklahoma finished with 125 digs and Fort Hays State finished with 119. UCO had a slight advantage in kills, 58-55, but FHSU had a little higher hitting percentage, .087 to .076. UCO finished with 17 total blocks and FHSU had 16. Both teams struggled with hitting errors as UCO had 40 and FHSU had 35.

Taylor Mares led FHSU with 13 kills and Madison Schwartz and Jenna Ulrich each produced double-doubles in the match. Schwartz had 12 kills and 20 digs, while Ulrich had 10 kills and 12 blocks. The 12-blocks was a career-high in a match for Ulrich. Kayla Zoglman teamed up with Ulrich on several of those blocks, getting eight for the match, while also producing a double-double of 45 assists and 19 digs. Makenzie Weinman had a career-high 36 digs. Sara Hewson also had a big night on defense with 20 digs.

Barbara Jackson led UCO in kills with 18, followed by Morgan Roy with 14. Each had a double-double, Roy with 25 digs and Jackson with 13 digs. Faith Harmon had a team-high 35 assists and Tate Hardaker had 43 digs.

FHSU looks to rebound when it hosts Pittsburg State on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 28) at 2 pm.