BOLIVAR, Mo. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team ended a five-match losing streak Saturday (Oct. 21), knocking off Southwest Baptist in straight sets (25-13, 25-18, 25-16). The Tigers are now 10-15 overall and 2-9 in league play, while the Bearcats dip to 2-23 on the year and 1-10 in the MIAA.
 
The Tigers were lights out in the first set, recording just one attack error en route to a .395 attack percentage. That rate dipped in the second and third frames, but FHSU still managed to record a .279 swing rate for the match while limiting the Bearcats to hit at a .090 clip. Six aces and five blocks helped the cause for the Tigers. The back line was solid all night, picking up 61 digs compared to just 47 for SBU.
 
Kylie Rollman led the Tigers with 12 kills, compiling a .346 attack percentage. Tatum Bartels did not record an error on 13 swings, throwing down five kills to compile a team-best .385 swing rate while adding two blocks and an ace. Amirah Bentley recorded her second double-double in as many nights, tossing up 34 assists while adding 10 digs. Taylor White led the team by making 13 digs. Sabrina Rodgers recorded two aces after stepping behind the line to serve just seven times.
 
The Tigers never trailed in the opening set, taking the first four points before going in front 8-1 with another 4-0 run. Fort Hays State led by at least four for the remainder of the set, thwarting several would-be Bearcat runs. SBU went on a 5-1 run to close the gap to 16-11, but the Tigers responded with a dominant 9-2 run to bring the set to a close, 25-13.
 
Southwest Baptist grabbed an early lead in the second set, jumping in front by as many as three, 5-2. However, the Tigers quickly woke up, scoring five of the next six points to take a 7-6 advantage. The Tigers wouldn't trail for the remainder of the evening. Fort Hays State later used a 7-1 run to build the lead to 14-8, forcing a Bearcat timeout. SBU was able to stop the bleeding for one point, but the Tigers followed with a 6-1 spurt to build the lead to nine, 19-10. The Bearcats fought back late, but a kill from Magan Alexander handed the Tigers a 25-18 victory.
 
Fort Hays State secured the first four points once again in the third set before trading points with the Bearcats for the next several rallies. Rodgers subbed in to serve with the Tigers in front 12-9, and six serves and two aces later the Tigers had doubled up SBU, 18-9. Not to be outdone, Bentley secured the Tiger victory with a service ace of her own later in the set, giving Fort Hays State a 25-16 set three win.
 
The Tigers will stay out on the road next week when they travel to Kearney, Neb. to face off with seventh-ranked Nebraska-Kearney on Tuesday (Oct. 24). First serve is set for 6 p.m.