Fort Hays State dropped a 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-19) match to No. 17 Central Missouri on Friday evening in Warrensburg, Mo.
 
The road loss moved FHSU to 7-8 overall and 2-5 in the MIAA.
 
UCM started the match on 5-0 run, pushing the lead to 8-2 before an FHSU timeout.  After allowing one more point, the Tigers started a five-point rally that cut the lead to two (9-7).  That, however, was it for Fort Hays State, as the Jennies recovered and ran away with the set, 25-13.
 
FHSU put together a strong effort in the second set, leading near the end of the 20-point mark, but ultimately dropped the point, 25-19.  Tied 4-4 early on, the squads played back-and-forth until FHSU led 13-12. Ahead one, the Tigers allowed a 4-0 burst by UCM (16-12), and would need to rally to stay close. 
 
Fort Hays State did just that after falling behind 17-14, putting together a five-point spurt (including two kills from Sara Hewson) to give the Tigers a 19-17 lead.  Central Missouri, however, ran off eight unanswered to close the set.
 
Both teams played evenly through the first half of the third set, when tied 14-14, UCM broke away to a 17-14 lead, which gave the Jennies separation in the deciding set.  Though FHSU would fight, they dropped the set, 25-19.
 
Mallory Flagor led the team with seven kills, but saw her streak of 13 double-digit kills' performances come to an end.  Rebekah Spainhour and Sara Hewson each had six kills, as Hewson added five digs and Spainhour had one block assist.
 
Kristin Conor (nine assists) and Teresa Wade (three kills) led the team with 10 digs, while Kelsey Broadwell had nine digs.  Libby Ary's 16 assists was a team-high.
 
The Tigers head further east on Saturday (Oct. 4) to face Lindenwood at 3 p.m.