HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team kept things close against fourth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney Saturday afternoon (Oct. 25), losing 25-22, 25-23, 25-13. The Tigers (14-8, 3-7 MIAA) led as late as 16-15 in the first set and 18-17 in the second set, but the Lopers (21-2, 8-2 MIAA) were able to rally back each time.
 
The Tigers led the way on the stat sheet in several categories, including kills (43-41), assists (41-38) and digs (58-52), but a .265-.119 edge in attack percentage for the Lopers helped the visitors escape with the win.
 
Fort Hays State took control early, leading for much of the first set. A kill from Ashlyn Reeves gave the Tigers a 7-4 lead early, FHSU's largest advantage of the frame. The Lopers battled back to tie the score multiple times, but the home team was able to hang on to the lead until a two-point run gave UNK a 17-16 advantage.
 
The Lopers later led by as many as four before Caiya Stucky Reyes and Peyton Bergschneider recorded back-to-back kills to make it 22-20. Bergschneider then teamed up with Reeves for a block before tying things up with another kill. The Lopers bounced back with three blocks down the stretch to take the opening frame, 25-22.
 
The Tigers trailed by as many as four early in the second set, but battled back from an 8-4 deficit to take a 10-9 lead. Gracie Rains opened the 6-1 run with a kill before Reyes made the score 8-6. The Black and Gold then rattled off four in a row after a combo block from Bergschneider and Avery Eshleman kicked things off. Reeves followed with a kill before taming up with Reyes for a block to tie the score at nine before another Loper error put the Tigers on top.
 
UNK pushed back and later led by three, 17-14, before another four-point run gave the Tigers another lead. Rains kick-started the run with a kill before Grace Schmedding dropped in a service ace. Reyes then gave the Tigers an 18-17 lead following a Loper error, but the visitors scored the next two points to go back on top. The teams traded points over the next six rallies before the Lopers closed the set on a 4-2 run. An early 6-1 run helped the Lopers take control early in the third set en route to a 25-13 victory.
 
Rains led the match with 14 kills, while Bergschneider added 12 kills, six digs and two blocks. Kirsten Evans tallied 15 digs, seven assists and one service ace, while Annie Eaton led the team with 19 assists alongside one block and one ace.
 
The Tigers will hit the road for one final time in the regular season next weekend when they travel to take on Newman on Friday (Oct. 31) beginning at 6 p.m. in Wichita, Kan.