2022 Eagle Classic
Oklahoma City, Okla. • Eagles' Nest
Friday-Saturday, August 26-27, 2022
 
Friday, August 26
vs. Illinois-Springfield • 11 a.m.
vs. Arkansas Tech • 3:30 p.m.
 
Saturday, August 27
vs. Westminster • 9 a.m.
vs. Southwest Baptist • 5:30 p.m.
 
The Fort Hays State volleyball team opens the 2022 season this weekend (Aug. 26-27) at the Eagle Classic hosted by Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City. The Tigers will face off with four non-conference opponents, including two matchups on Friday and two more on Saturday.
 
The squad makes its debut on Friday at 11 a.m. against Illinois-Springfield before turning around to battle Arkansas Tech at 3:30 p.m. The weekend continues Saturday morning against Westminster at 9 a.m. before FHSU wraps things up at 5:30 p.m. against Southwest Baptist.
 
Live video and live stats are expected to be available throughout the weekend, with live video on the LSC Digital Network available for purchase at a cost of $10 for a 24-hour pass.
 
The Tigers are coming off a 13-17 record in 2021, the most wins for the team in five years, and a trip to the MIAA Tournament.
 
Roster Notes
- The Tigers returned 10 players this season, including all but one starter from the 2021 squad.
- Head coach Jessica Wood-Atkins also brought in 10 new players for the 2022 campaign, including nine true freshmen and one transfer.
- FHSU returns three All-MIAA performers, including Morgan Christiansen, Claire Olson and Riley Tinder.
- This year's roster is comprised of three seniors, four juniors, four sophomores and nine freshmen.
- Outside hitters include returners Mykah Eshbaugh and Riley Tinder alongside newcomers Lily Boughfman, Gracie Rains and Tallon Rentschler.
- Claire Olson and Delanie Patterson are back as rightside hitters and are joined by freshman Mya Vandrovec.
- Attackers in the middle include returners Emily Ellis, Morgan Christiansen and Jessica Saunders and newcomers Taylor Hawkins, Mataya Clark and Abby Babcock.
- Returners Elysia Glowacz and Jaida Felix are joined by freshman Caiya Stucky at the setter position.
- Jaden Daffer returns as the primary libero and will be joined by Kirsten Evans and Brooke Hyland as defensive specialists.
- This year's roster includes players from seven different states, including 12 from Kansas, three from Colorado and one each from Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Texas.
 
The Coaches
- Jessica Wood-Atkins enters her fifth year as head coach in 2022 after helping the Tigers reach the MIAA Tournament for the first time in five years last fall.
- Trevor Sullivan is in his third season as assistant coach at Fort Hays State after joining Wood-Atkins' staff in the spring of 2021.
- Carolynne Barbosa is entering her second season as graduate assistant this fall.
 
The Schedule
- The Tigers open the year with eight non-conference matchups across a pair of weekend tournaments before jumping straight into a 20-match, double-round-robin MIAA slate.
- Fort Hays State opens the year with four matches at the Eagle Classic in Oklahoma City Aug. 26-27 before traveling to Denton, Texas for four more contests at the Denton Volleyfest Sept. 2-3.
- The Tigers open conference play at No. 2 Washburn on Sept. 9 beginning at 6 p.m., with the first home match slated for Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. against Central Oklahoma.
- Fort Hays State will host Northwest Missouri State for the annual Dig Pink Night on Oct. 1 at 3 p.m.
 
Series History
- This is the first-ever matchup between the Tigers and the Prairie Stars of UIS.
- Fort Hays State is 2-0 against Arkansas Tech, including two neutral site victories in 1997 and 1998.
- The Tigers defeated Westminster in their first meeting with the Griffins in 2016, a road win in five sets.
- Fort Hays State played former conference rival Southwest Baptist 21 times in program history, with the Tigers holding a 15-6 lead in the all-time series that began in 2001. The Tigers are riding an 11-match winning streak in the series, with FHSU also leading 1-0 in neutral site meetings.

Opponent Notes
Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars - Springfield, Ill. - Great Lakes Valley Conference
- The Prairie Stars went 14-16 overall in 2021, including an 10-8 record in GLVC matchups. They reached the GLVC Tournament as the No. 7 seed, falling to eventual runner-up Missouri-St. Louis.
- UIS was listed eighth out of 13 squads in the 2022 GLVC Preseason Poll.
- Head coach Kamille Jones is in her second season in Springfield after helping UIS improve by seven conference wins in her first year at the helm.
 
Arkansas Tech Golden Suns - Russellville, Ark. - Great American Conference
- The Golden Suns turned in an overall record of 22-8 last season, winning the GAC Tournament championship to advance to the NCAA DII Central Regional before falling in the quarterfinals.
- ATU was ranked fourth out of 12 teams in the 2022 GAC Preseason Poll, just 12 points shy of first place.
- Head coach Kera Coleman is in her fifth year at Tech and boasts a 62-39 career record. She returns nine letterwinners while adding 11 newcomers this fall.
 
Westminster Griffins - Salt Lake City, Utah - Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
- The Griffins are coming off a 5-23 record last fall, including a 3-15 record in RMAC action.
- Westminster was ranked 15th out of 15 schools in the 2022 RMAC Preseason Poll.
- Sue Dulaney, winner of more than 500 matches at the junior college level, was introduced as the new head coach at Westminster in February. She enters her first season with just three upper classmen (one senior, two juniors) and 15 under classmen (six sophomores, nine freshmen).
 
Southwest Baptist Bearcats - Bolivar, Mo. - Great Lakes Valley Conference
- The Bearcats turned in an 11-18 record last season, including a 6-12 mark in GLVC competition.
- SBU was ranked 11th out of 13 teams in the 2022 GLVC Preseason Poll.
- Third-year head coach James Hanger's roster is very young, including just two seniors and two juniors alongside 11 sophomores and five freshmen.