Redshirt junior Crystal Whitten and true freshman Azlyn Cassaday both had 11 kills to lead the Fort Hays State volleyball team in their annual Black and Gold Scrimmage Wednesday night at Gross Coliseum. Mallory Flagor, the team’s lone senior added 10 kills in the three set match won by the FHSU Black team (25-15, 31-29, 18-25).

Abby Groth and Hannah Wagy both had 19 assists. Wagy led the way with 16 digs.

Neither team hit particularly well with the Gold finishing with a .090 average and the Black .148. Seventh year head coach Kurt Kohler chalks that up to their youth as well as familiarity. “I think it is our defense knowing what our hitters are going to do” Kohler said. “Our passing wasn’t real good today so our offense wasn’t able to come along”.

7th year coach Kurt Kohler discusses Wednesday’s Black and Gold Scrimmage

 

Kohler has just one senior and seven true freshman on his roster and knows there will be some growing pains.

“Most of these kids are now playing like freshman, which is nice” Kohler said. “A lot of these girls look like they’ve played at a high level already so that’s going to be fun to get them on the court and really challenge our upper classman”.

The Tigers, who are picked eighth in the MIAA coaches’ preseason poll, are looking to improve on last season which saw them finish three spots higher than in 2013.

FHSU will host Bethel College at Gross Memorial Coliseum in an exhibition doubleheader starting at 4 pm on Wednesday, August 26. They then open the 2015 regular season in Marquette, Mich., at the Northern Michigan Tournament, Sept. 4-5.