WARRENSBURG, Mo. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team concluded the 2023 season Friday (Nov. 10) with a four-set loss on the road against No. 21 Central Missouri, 25-13, 25-15, 19-25, 25-22. The Tigers battled back after losing the first two sets to lead in the third set wire-to-wire and led for much of the fourth set before falling by three.
 
Central Missouri never trailed in the opening set, with the Tigers taking their first lead early in the second set. After swinging at a .057 clip across the opening two sets, Fort Hays State bounced back to post an attack percentage of .353 in the third set and .220 in the fourth frame.
 
Fort Hays State scored the first three points in the third set, later leading by as many as eight. Gracie Rains contributed five kills during the frame, with Taylor Hawkins totaling four kills. Olson helped the Tigers reach set point with a kill before Ashlyn Reeves ended the frame with her second kill of the set.
 
The Tigers led by as many as six midway through the fourth set, 13-7, before the Jennies battled back to tie things up at 18. The teams traded points before UCM broke open a 22-22 tie by scoring the final three points of the evening.
 
Hawkins paced the Tigers with 14 kills and three blocks, while Emily Ellis contributed 11 kills and two blocks, including one solo swat. Caiya Stucky tossed up 42 assists, with Riley Tinder leading the way with 16 digs.