EDMOND, Okla. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team fell in three sets Saturday afternoon (Oct. 21) at No. 19 Central Oklahoma, 25-17, 25-14, 25-18. The Tigers (9-14, 3-11 MIAA) matched the Bronchos (20-3, 11-2 MIAA) with six team blocks, but a 43-25 edge in kills aided UCO in the win.
 
Fort Hays State kept things close to open the first set until a 7-1 Broncho run turned a 9-9 tie into a 16-10 lead. Another big UCO run in the second set blew things open, with the Bronchos scoring nine in a row to go from up two, 13-11, to up 11, 22-11. The Tigers led as late as 9-8 in the third set before UCO scored four in a row to take the lead. FHSU tied things up at 13 before another Broncho run put UCO on top for good.
 
Riley Tinder led the Tigers with six kills while adding seven digs. Brooke Hyland picked up a team-best 15 digs, while Gracie Rains totaled three blocks to lead the way. Caiya Stucky had 19 assists on the day.
 
Fort Hays State will return home to host its final two home matches of the season next week when the Tigers take on No. 21 Washburn on Tuesday (Oct. 24) and Newman on Thursday (Oct. 26), with both matches beginning at 6 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.