HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team fell in three sets Friday evening (Oct. 11) against Washburn, 22-25, 21-25, 15-25. The Tigers are now 9-6 on the year and 1-5 in MIAA play, while the Ichabods improve to 13-3 overall and 4-2 in league action.
 
The Tigers struggled out of the gate, quickly falling behind by seven, 9-2. Three kills from Grace Schmedding helped FHSU score five of the next six points to close within three, 10-7, before the Ichabods rattled off four in a row to go back up seven. The Tigers continued to battle, using a 6-1 run to close within one, 16-15. Ashlyn Reeves opened the run with a kill before Gracie Rains added two kills. Taytum Lovesee then recorded back-to-back blocks, one solo rejection and one alongside Claire Olson.
 
Washburn later scored three in a row to stretch its lead back to four before the Tigers scored four in a row to tie things up at 20. Hope Duncan leveled the score with a service ace, prompting a Washburn timeout. The teams traded points over the next several rallies before Washburn scored three in a row to turn a 22-22 tie into a 25-22 win.
 
The visitors started to pull away early in the second set, eventually leading by as many as 10, 22-12. Fort Hays State wouldn't go down without a fight, however, scoring the next five points and eight of the next nine to close within three, 23-20. Olson fueled the run with three kills and one assisted block alongside Lovesee. Washburn managed to thwart the Tiger momentum, taking the frame 25-21 before pulling away to take the third set, 25-15.
 
The Tigers collected seven blocks in the match, including six from Lovesee (two solo). Rains and Schmedding both contributed eight kills, with Schmedding adding eight digs and one block. Duncan led the team with two service aces, while Caiya Stucky added 21 assists and nine digs. Kirsten Evans paced the squad with 11 digs.
 
Fort Hays State will wrap up a five-match homestand on Saturday (Oct. 12) when the Tigers host Emporia State beginning at 2 p.m.