The Fort Hays State volleyball team hosted the No. 5 Washburn Lady Blues on Tuesday evening (Oct. 18) at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers battled and stayed in each set, but were unable to take one as they fell in straight sets by scores of 25-18, 25-19, 25-23.

Washburn seemed to keep the Tigers at arm’s length throughout the first two set, always keeping at least a five point lead. Washburn outhit the Tigers .368 to .140 in the first set but the Tigers matched them in the second set with both teams hitting .250. It was not enough to help Fort Hays State take a set off of the Lady Blues, but the Tigers kept battling and giving themselves a chance in the third set.

Fort Hays State again fell behind early in the third set, but they managed to come back and make it the most interesting set of the night. Washburn took a 24-20 lead following a Fort Hays State timeout, but the Tigers would not go away. MIAA Hitter of the Week Jenna Ulrich responded with a kill followed by assist blocks from Ulrich and Yadira Jacquez and then Ulrich and Kylee Hoagland to bring the score to 24-23, causing a Lady Blue timeout. Washburn regained their composure and put the Tigers away on the next point, thanks to a kill from Korie Thompson to take the set 25-23 and the match 3-0.

Camille Hubert led the Tigers with nine kills, followed by Ulrich with seven and Jacquez and Taylor Mares with six. Tracie Hileman had a team-high 17 digs while Kayla Zoglman led the Tigers with 27 assists. Ulrich also had four blocks (one solo, three assist) to lead the Tigers, who had eight blocks on the night to just two for the Lady Blues.

Washburn got 12 kills from Hillary Hughes and a double-double of 21 assists and 13 digs from Abby Wittman to improve to 21-1 (8-0 MIAA) on the year.

Fort Hays State drops to 13-10 on the year and 2-7 in the MIAA and things don’t get any easier for the Tigers, who will face EmporiaState on Friday night (Oct. 21) at home before returning the next day to host No. 7 Central Missouri.

– FHSU Sports Information –