HAYS, Kan. – A slow start doomed the Fort Hays State volleyball team Saturday, with the Tigers falling in straight sets against Northwest Missouri State (14-25, 18-25, 19-25). FHSU is now 9-12 on the year and 1-6 in conference play, while the Bearcats move to 10-9 overall and 4-3 in the MIAA.

The Bearcats put together one of their best offensive performances of the season, recording their second-best hitting percentage of the year to outhit the Tigers, .410-.172. It was the highest hitting percentage the Tigers have allowed since 2015 (.431, at #11 Central Oklahoma, 10/16/15) Kylie Rollman picked up one-third of FHSU’s kills on the day, totaling 12 kills and a .400 swing rate. Taylor White led the team with 14 digs, while Amirah Bentley (16 assists) and Becca Page (14 assists) split setting duties.

The Tigers never led in the first or second set, with NWMSU roaring to a 25-14 victory in the opening frame thanks to a .424 attack rate. The visitors were able to best that in the second set, swinging at a .441 clip to take the frame 25-18. FHSU kept things close early in the third set, leading by as many as two, 4-2, after a kill from Sydney Dixon. The Tigers later led 6-5 before the Bearcats took the lead for good thanks to a 9-0 run, jumping in front 14-6. Trailing 21-11, the Black and Gold put together four consecutive points to close the gap to six. Magan Alexander started things off with two-straight kills before Tatum Bartels added another to narrow the margin to 21-14. The only Tiger block of the night kept the Tigers alive after NWMSU reached set point, 24-19, but the Bearcats finished things off on the next serve.

Fort Hays State returns to the floor Thursday (Oct. 12) when they host No. 20 Central Missouri for the annual Pass, Set, Pink night. Fans that wear pink will get into the match FREE! First serve is set for 6 p.m.