FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State picked up its second-straight conference victory on Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 1) against Emporia State at the FHSU Tennis Courts in Hays. The Tigers edged the Hornets 5-4 to move to 9-7 overall and 2-5 in the MIAA.

Emporia State (8-6, 2-2 MIAA) had only four players on Wednesday as two were unavailable for the dual. The Tigers took advantage, taking one doubles match and one singles match in order to grab the win.

FHSU took a 2-1 lead on the Hornets after doubles play as the teams split the two contested matches. The No. 3 team of  Jessica Johnson and Michelle Miller picked up the forfeit win. At No. 2 doubles, Brittney Ricci and Katie Harp defeated Fugit and Khounsombath 8-5. The No. 1 team of Camille Caron-Bedard and Rienette Strydom had a close match, but fell 8-6 to Griffey and Smith.

FHSU immediately took a 4-1 lead in the match at the start of singles play with the No. 5 and No. 6 positions open for ESU. Ricci had a hand in both wins that were contested for FHSU. She went on to defeat Amy Fugit at No. 2 singles 6-2, 6-3 to clinch the match for the Tigers.

Caron-Bedard had a great battle with Tawni Griffey at No. 1 singles. Caron-Bedard took a big first-set lead and held on 6-4, but Griffey pulled out the second set by a score of 7-5. The third set came down to a win-by-two situation, but Griffey was able to pick up the final two points to escape with an 11-9 win over Caron-Bedard.

At No. 3 singles, Taylor Smith of ESU defeated Miller 6-0, 6-2, while at No. 4 singles, Tiffany Khounsombath of ESU defeated Hipp 6-2, 6-3.

The Tigers host Washburn in conference action on Friday (Apr. 3) at 2 pm.