Fort Hays State University dropped a 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-23) contest with No. 5 BYU-Hawaii on Friday evening in Laie, Hawaii. The Tigers drop to 0-2 on the season while BYU now sits at 4-0.

Jenna Ulrich led the team with nine kills, while Taylor Mares followed up Thursday night’s strong performance with an eight kill evening.  Ulrich hit .350 while Mares’ percentage was .250.  Using a two-setter cycle, Kelsey Broadwell racked up 17 assists and Libby Ary had 14.

The Tigers’ defense was tested throughout the night from BYU’s strong attack, and Mackenzie Weinman stepped up the challenge, digging out 20 attacks to keep FHSU close.

In game one, FHSU trailed just once until the match was tied 9-9, but couldn’t pull away, eventually relinquishing the lead and needing to battle from behind.  The Tigers would hang tough throughout, pulling within one at 20-19, 21-20, 22-21 and 23-22, but couldn’t get over the hump and dropped the first set, 25-23.

BYU would hold the lead throughout game two, limiting the Tigers to a .128 hitting percentage (and five attack errors), to take the set, 25-18.

After the intermission, FHSU would answer back strongly, hitting .216 with a service ace and 12 kills as a team.  The teams would trade points until 7-7, when the Tigers rattled off a 5-1 run to lead, 12-8.  That lead, however, would shrink until BYU tied the game, 13-13.

FHSU wouldn’t falter, though, and once again attempted to pull away, but were unable to.  Down 15-17, BYU would run off four unanswered points to take the lead, 19-17.  The pesky Tigers, though, tied the match at 22 and 23, showing resilience until a two-point rally ended the match, 25-23.

FHSU travels to Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, Hawaii tomorrow to close out the Hawaii Invitational.  The Tigers will take on Lewis University at Noon HT (5 p.m. CT) and HPU at 6 p.m. HT (11 p.m. CT).

— FHSU Sports Informaton —