KEARNEY, Neb. - Fort Hays State volleyball moved to 6-10 on the season and 3-5 in conference play following a 3-0 loss at No. 3 ranked Nebraska-Kearney on Tuesday night (Oct. 8).
To open the night, the Tigers and Lopers were going kill-for-kill. At an even set score, 9-9, Nebraska-Kearney began to break away after a few Tiger attack errors. Kills from Delaney Humm and Morgan West created a late push in the first frame by Fort Hays State, but that was ultimately shut down by Sami Mauch who concluded the set for UNK, 25-18.
Coming out of the switch of sides, Nebraska-Kearney held all momentum. Beginning the second frame, the Lopers jumped out on a 6-0 run before a Tiger timeout. Fort Hays State attempted to produce a run late in the set, which was ended by a kill from Nebraska-Kearney's Julianne Jackson. The Tigers were able to snag a couple more points before falling 25-14.
Opening the third set, the Tigers and Lopers went back and forth to the point of the Lopers leading 6-4. Five straight points by the Lopers opened up a seven-point lead. UNK steadily pulled away from that point and won the set 25-11.
Reynolds, Humm, and West led the Tigers with seven kills each while Katie Darnell added 22 assists to her totals. Abbie Hayes was the only Tiger to reach double figures in digs with 10.
The Tigers look to rebound against Missouri Western on Saturday (Oct. 12), back inside the home confines of Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Griffons hold a record of 9-5 and are 3-3 in MIAA matches.
