KEARNEY, Neb. – The Fort Hays State Volleyball team fell to No. 6 Nebraska-Kearney on Tuesday (Sept. 18) in straight sets. The Tigers are now 6-9 overall on the season and 0-3 in MIAA play, while the Lopers improved to 14-1 this season and 2-1 in league action.
 
UNK took an early 5-0 lead in the first set before FHSU got on the board thanks to an attack error on the Lopers. Nebraska-Kearney led wire-to-wire for the first set, claiming the opening frame 25-18. Kayla Vitztum led the Tigers with four kills in the first set.
 
The Tigers grabbed an early 5-2 lead in the second set, thanks to a couple kills from Vitztum and one by Isabelle Reynolds. The Lopers stormed back, matching the score for the first time in the second frame, 6-6. Back-and-forth play from the squads produced four lead changes and two more ties. After the Lopers took the lead back 10-9, did not look back in the set and headed into the locker room with a two-set advantage after a 25-15 win.
 
Vitztum's 11th and final kill put the Tigers in front with a 3-2 advantage early in the third set, before the Lopers grasped the lead and never looked back as they wrapped up the match, 25-14.
 
Vitztum led the Tigers with 11 kills, while Tatum Bartels picked up another six kills and swung a team-high .278 in the match. Christianna Herron tallied five blocks while Abbie Hayes collected 18 digs.
 
The Tigers play host to Pittsburg State on Friday (Sept. 18) when they take on the Gorillas inside Gross Memorial Coliseum for the Tigers home-opener. First serve is set for 6 p.m.