The Fort Hays State volleyball team heads south in search of its first conference victory this weekend, facing off with No. 9 Central Oklahoma Friday before dueling Pittsburg State on Saturday. Both matches are slated to begin at 6 p.m.
The Tigers dropped their first three conference matches at home over the last week, moving to 8-9 overall on the year. Fort Hays State leads the country with 776 assists while ranking second after accumulating 821 kills through 17 matches this season.
Amirah Bentley orchestrates the Tiger offense, sending up 563 assists to date to rank 15th in Division II. Logan Wallick picked up 11 kills in just three sets Tuesday against Nebraska-Kearney, raising her average to a team-best 2.90 kills per set. Callie Christensen has been a prominent force at the net, leading the team in hitting percentage (.234) and blocks (74).
FHSU at #9 Central Oklahoma • Friday, September 29 • 6 p.m. • UCO leads all-time series, 14-10
Edmond, Okla. • Hamilton Field House
The Tigers will face off with a ranked opponent for the third-straight match Friday when they go up against the ninth-ranked Bronchos. Central Oklahoma enters the weekend on a 13-game winning streak, dropping only one set since September 2. The Bronchos are 16-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play so far this year, easily sweeping Southwest Baptist, Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State to open MIAA play.
Central Oklahoma holds a 14-10 edge in the all-time series, including victories in the last two meetings. FHSU last beat the Bronchos in 2014, a four-set victory in Edmond (10/18/14). The Tigers are 2-6 against UCO since the Bronchos joined the MIAA in 2012.
The Bronchos rank 10th in the country in attack percentage, leading the MIAA with a .272 swing rate. Their defense is nearly as efficient as their offense, limiting opponents to a .132 attack rate, third-best in the conference.
Taylor Bevis is the go-to threat for the Bronchos at the net, leading the conference and ranking fourth in the nation with 5.05 kills per set. However, setter McKenzie Fyfe (9.72 assists per set) has several other effective options to utilize on offense, with Jordan Spence (.334), Alexis Washington (.328) and Karyn Chrisman (.306) all carrying attack percentages better than .300.
Head coach Edgar Miraku has developed a powerhouse since taking over in 2012, earning a 142-43 record in five-plus seasons.
FHSU at Pittsburg State • Saturday, September 30 • 6 p.m. • FHSU leads all-time series, 32-27
Pittsburg, Kan. • John Lance Arena
Fort Hays State will wrap up the quick two-game road swing Saturday against Pittsburg State. The Gorillas have limped to a 3-12 record this season, including six-straight losses heading into the weekend. They are 0-3 to open conference play, dropping a five-setter against Southwest Baptist before being swept by Missouri Southern and Central Oklahoma.
The Tigers have won three-straight against the Gorillas, helping them extend a 32-27 lead in the all-time series. PSU last knocked off the Tigers in 2014, earning a five-set win in Pittsburg (9/27/14).
The Gorillas rank 11th in the conference in attack percentage, swinging at a .144 clip so far this year. Carolina VanBuskirk is among the league leaders in service aces, compiling 16 to date. Junior Lauren Regier leads the team offensively, totaling 164 kills (2.93 k/s) and a .239 swing rate through 15 matches.
Second year head coach Jen Gomez, who has compiled a 9-36 record in her career at PSU, leads the Gorillas. Pittsburg State was picked to finish 10th in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.