Fort Hays State could not stop Central Oklahoma from extending its season-opening win streak to 10 matches in a 3-1 loss at Gross Memorial Coliseum on Friday evening (Sept. 20). Central Oklahoma is now 10-0, 2-0 in the MIAA, while Fort Hays State dropped to 0-7 overall, 0-2 in the MIAA.

Fort Hays State trailed by at least seven in all three of the sets it lost, finding it too hard to recover from large deficits. In the first set, FHSU trailed by nine before rallying back to lose by three. They used the late momentum to take the second set 25-20.

The third set was tight up until a 14-14 tie, then UCO went on a 6-0 run to take control. The Tigers were also even with the Bronchos at 8-8 in the fourth set and allowed another 6-0 run to give UCO control.

Taylor Mares led Fort Hays State with 12 kills and hit .300 in the match on 30 swings, making just three errors. Jenna Ulrich added eight kills and six blocks, while Mallory Flagor added eight kills and four blocks. Libby Ary led the way in assists with 22 and Makenzie Wienman recorded 25 digs.

UCO had three players reach double figures in kills, Juliette Smith and Allison Barr each with 13 and Barbara Jackson with 12. Taylyn Schwartz had 47 assists for UCO and Tate Hardaker added 24 digs.

Fort Hays State looks to snap its early season winning drought when it hosts Pittsburg State on Saturday at 2 pm.

— FHSU Sports Information —