SAINT JOSEPH, Mo. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team fell in straight sets against Missouri Western State on Saturday (Oct. 4), losing 25-13, 25-23, 25-13. The Tigers are now 13-3 overall and 2-2 in MIAA play, while the Griffons improve to 10-5 on the year and 2-2 in league action.

A pair of 5-0 runs for the Griffons helped the home team take control in the opening set, winning 25-13. The Tigers kept things close in a second set that included seven ties and five lead changes. Fort Hays State led by as many as five at 11-6 thanks to kills from Ashlyn Reeves and Ella Goodwin, but MWSU rallied to tie the score at 13. The Tigers then led as late as 16-15 before the Griffons regained control with a 5-1 run that eventually led to a 25-23 win.

Fort Hays State scored the first three points in the third set and held that three-point advantage as late as 12-9 before the Griffons brought things to a close with a 16-1 run.

Abrey Galt posted 15 assists and added two service aces while contributing 10 digs. Reeves recorded six kills on 12 attempts and added a block assist. Kirsten Evans led the defense with 13 digs and also delivered a service ace. Noelle Sutcliffe paced MWSU with 11 kills. The Tigers hit .049 as a team, while the Griffons recorded a swing rate of .282.

The Tigers will next travel to Kearney, Neb. to take on third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney on Tuesday (Oct. 7) beginning at 6 p.m.