HAYS, Kan. – An errorless opening set propelled the Fort Hays State volleyball team to a clean sweep of Newman Saturday afternoon (Sept. 28), 25-14, 25-14, 25-19. The Tigers improve to 5-7 overall and 2-2 in MIAA play, while the Jets fall to 0-13 overall and 0-4 in league action.

The Tigers cruised to a 25-14 victory in the opening two sets, never trailing in either frame. The Black and Gold did not record an error in the opening set, totaling 10 kills on 25 swings for a .400 attack percentage. FHSU pulled away in the set thanks to eight attack errors and five service miscues from Newman.

Delaney Humm helped the Tigers dominate again in the second set, recording as many kills (seven) as the entire Jet squad. FHSU jumped out to a quick 8-4 lead, but Newman battled back to level the score at 9-9. A kill from Humm prompted a seven-point run for the Tigers, putting the home team in front for good. The Lincoln, Neb. freshman ended the set with one final kill, handing the Tigers another 25-14 win.

The Tigers scored seven of the first nine points in the third set to take a quick five-point lead, but Newman fought back to take their first lead of the match, 10-9. The teams then traded points until FHSU scored six-straight with Taylor White serving, prompting a Jet timeout. Humm recorded the final two kills for the Tigers off passes from Katie Darnell to complete the sweep.

Humm tallied another double-double, her sixth of the season, after a team-high 14 kills and 10 digs. Isabelle Reynolds added 10 kills with a .360 attack percentage, while Kylie Brown recorded five kills on seven swings (.714 attack percentage). Darnell totaled 37 assists, nine digs and one block assist. Tatum Bartels did not record an error, accumulating seven kills on eight swings while adding an ace and one solo block. Abbie Hayes led the team with 11 digs.

Fort Hays State recorded a season-high .355 attack percentage, its best swing rate against a conference opponent since 2016 (.396 at Southwest Baptist, 11/12/16). Meanwhile, the Tigers held Newman to a .082 swing rate.

The Tigers picked up their second conference win of the season, matching their total from each of the last two seasons.

After going 2-1 over its latest home stretch, the Tigers will hit the road for four straight matches beginning next week. First up is a rematch with Emporia State on Tuesday (Oct. 1), with first serve set for 6 p.m. from Emporia, Kan.

SEARCY, Ark. – Following an offensively dominant performance against Ouachita Baptist on Thursday that resulted in a draw, No. 22 Fort Hays State men’s soccer was back in the scoresheet early on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers defeated Harding 8-1 to snatch their fourth win of the season.

With the victory, FHSU remains undefeated all-time against Harding, moving the record to 7-0.

The 2018 National Semifinalists struck early against the Bisons. In the fourth minute, midfielder Moritz Walther began the scoring on an assist from Agustin Meza – creating the first goal of the season for Walther.

Just seven minutes later, Moises Peralta followed up Walther, with an assist from Alec Bevis.

Nearly midway through the first half, Tigers leading goal scorer Santiago Agudelo added another to the scoreboard, notching his fifth of the season. Sophomore midfielder,Rogelio Lopez was awarded his third assist on the season during the play.

Four minutes later, Fort Hays added another score only this time, it was Lopez finishing a pass from Agudelo. On an ensuing FHSU possession, the black and gold once again found the back of the net for their fourth goal of the game. Lopez, once again a facilitator on the play, found Sergio Villalba, who finished his chance past goalkeeper Carlos Calderon.

Heading into the halftime break, the Tigers commanded a 5-0 lead over the Bisons and would continue to pour in the goals as the second period kicked off.

Villalba, scoring in the 31st minute, notched another goal in the 56th minute for his second goal of the game, the Tigers sixth.

Just a minute later, Harding. Was able to add a tally to their own side of the scoresheet. Fort Hays State defender Miguel Baca committed a foul within the confines of the 18-yard box and was handed a yellow card. The Bison’s Christian Ramos stepped up to take the penalty kick and successfully found the back of the net.

Before long, FHSU piled on their seventh goal of the game when Alonso Rodriguez played a ball through the middle of the field to Agudelo, cutting to the left corner of the 18-yard box. The senior striker cut in on his right foot and displayed a curving finish between two Bison defenders.

The next Tiger point occurred under five minutes later. In the 80th minute, junior Mauricio Etcheverry was substituted into the match for Santiago Agudelo. In just three minutes, Etcheverry made his presence widely known with a cross from near the sideline. Flying through the air, senior Caden Frank eyed the ball and with his outstretched leg, was able to ricochet the ball past the Harding goalkeeper.

The 8-1 victory is the second largest margin in Fort Hays State men’s soccer history – the team missing the all-time record by only one goal.

Freshman goalkeeper Kieran Brown made three saves in his first collegiate start. Bevis added two assists to his stat line.

After an offensively dominant week, Fort Hays State is now above the .500 mark (4-3-1 overall) and remain undefeated in Great American Conference play.

The Tigers will be playing back in the FHSU Soccer Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 5 against Newman University.

NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – Fort Hays State improved to 4-2 overall by cruising to a 7-0 win at Bethel College (Kan.) on Friday afternoon (Sept. 27). FHSU picked up a pair of forfeits and won all seven matches contested in the duel.

In singles play, the Tigers breezed to straight-set victories at the 1-5 positions. Natalie Lubbers defeated Jennifer Harrison 6-1, 6-0 at the No. 1 position. The No. 2 match was the most tightly contested by the Threshers, but Macy Moyers won 6-4, 6-2 in straight sets over Brianna Berryman. Ellea Ediger defeated Erica Ebenkamp 6-2, 6-1 at the No. 3 position. At No. 4, Grace Holgerson defeated Cameron Bracknell 6-3, 6-0. Kimberly Stone shutout her opponent, Morgan Lantz, 6-0, 6-0. Sydney McAdoo received a forfeit win at No. 6.

Lubbers and Ediger paired together for a 6-2 win at No. 1 doubles over Harrison and Berryman. At the No. 2 position, Moyers and Holgerson defeated Bracknell and Ebenkamp 6-1. Stone and McAdoo received a forfeit win with Bethel down a player.

A few of the Tigers will compete in the ITA Fall Regional next weekend (Oct. 4-6) in Oklahoma City, a tournament that will conclude the fall schedule for FHSU.