Fort Hays State University used 63 kills to dispel Northwest Missouri State University, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.

FHSU (1-9, 1-4 MIAA) picked up its first win of the season by hitting .208 as a team, including five individual Tigers hitting above .200.  The Bearcats (6-7, 2-2 MIAA) hit just .157, and had a .033 hitting percentage in the final set.

Tayor Mares’ 18 kills led the team and hit .394, while Mallory Flagor had 14 kills.  Three other Tigers (Jenna Ulrich, Sara Hewson and Haley Corkill) had at least seven kills.

Using a two-setter lineup, FHSU’s Libby Ary and Raegan Vanderplas combined for 49 of the Tigers’ 56 assists.  Ary led the team with 31, while Vanderplas had 18.

Defensively, Ulrich returned to her All-MIAA form, totaling 9 block assists in the contest.  Mares added five block assists as well.

In the back row, Makenzie Weinmen dug out a season-best 28 attacks, including eight in the first and fourth sets.  Hewson had 13 digs for the Tigers.

Though they led 4-0 in the first set, the Tigers would fall behind by as many as four (10-6) until tying it, 15-15.  From there, both squads would trade points until 18-all, when a two-point rally put NWMSU up, 20-18.  After an FHSU timeout, the Tigers would answer back to take a 21-20 lead, setting the stage for a close finish.

NWMSU continued took one-point leads, but FHSU would side out to re-tie the match until 27-27.  Then, a service ace by Vanderplas gave FHSU a set-point opportunity.  The Bearcats would not go away, however, as an FHSU attack error tied the match again.  FHSU, though, used a Bearcat attack error and a kill by Samantha Ledy to take the game, 30-28.

FHSU would lead 2-0 in the second set, but again fall behind, 9-5.  The Tigers, though, showed resilience and broke off on a 6-0 run to grab an 11-9 lead.  With the score at 12-11, FHSU pulled out of reach, going on a 6-1 run that included two kills by Mares to lead, 18-12.  NWMSU would regain composure and cut the lead to four (21-17), but the Tigers would not relinquish the lead, taking the set 25-20 on Flagor’s fourth kill of the second frame.

Out of intermission, FHSU would again lead (1-0) in the third game, but trail by as many as three until a quick four-point burst for FHSU forced a Bearcat timeout.  Though the Tigers still trailed, 11-10, at that point, they would eventually tie it up, 13-13.  Later in the set, down 20-17, FHSU again fought back, taking a 22-21 advantage on a Corkill attack that found the floor.  FHSU would lose the set, however, 25-23.

The Tigers never trailed in the fourth set, tearing off a 5-1 run early in the final game to lead, 10-6.  After two quick points for the Bearcats, the Tigers put together a 10-2 run (20-10), including a spurt of five unanswered points.  Though NWMSU sparked a short rally and cut the lead to five (21-16), an ace by Keanu Bradley on match point (25-17) gave FHSU its first victory of the season.

FHSU will compete on Monday, Sept. 30, in a doubleheader with McPherson College.  The first match is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed by another at 7 p.m.

— FHSU Sports Information —

Coming off a draw with the No. 6 team in the nation, No. 21 Fort Hays State University picked up a 3-0 conference win over Harding on Saturday in Searcy, Ark.

Diego Cabral powered the Tigers (6-1-1, 2-0-1) with two second-half goals on the day.

FHSU took 22 shots in the match, out-dueling Harding (2-1-2, 1-0-0 MIAA), who managed just 12.

Jacob Rangel continued his hot play on offense, scoring his second goal in as many games, while Joe Albright had an assist.

In goal, Kent Freund earned his second start of the season, shutting out the Bison and recording three saves.

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead into half, as Rangel’s shot in the 39th minute found the net.  Albright crossed a ball into the right channel, finding Rangel, who put it through near the far post.

During the second frame, FHSU would launch 11 shots, and put the game out of reach.  After a Harding foul in the 85th minute, Cabral lined up for a free kick from 25 yards out and drilled the shot.

Soon after, at 87:06, Cabral would score again, launching another free kick from 25 yards out, hitting the near post and deflecting into the goal.

FHSU is at the mid-point of a four-game road trip, finishing with MIAA matches against Lindenwood (Oct. 3) and Southwest Baptist (Oct. 5) next weekend.

— FHSU Sports Information —

Men Take First
Fort Hays State men’s cross country emerged as the champion at the ESU Invitational in Emporia, Kan. on Friday evening. Isaac Mills and Cory Keehn paced the Tigers to the title by finishing fifth and sixth respectively as individuals, in a race with 171 runners and 19 teams. The Tigers defeated University of Saint Mary by 18 points to win.

Fort Hays State posted a score of 66, getting team-point placings of 5, 6, 15, 18 and 22. Mills led the way for FHSU in fifth overall, with a time of 26:36 on the 8K course. Keehn was five seconds back of Mills in sixth overall with a time of 26:41. Bernard Keter of Cloud County (Kan.) Community College won the individual title with a time of 25:43, over 30 seconds faster than the second place finisher.

Chris Ramsgard finished 17th overall with a time of 27:23 and Jonny Bernansky was 22nd in 27:42. Rounding out the team score for FHSU was Ryan Hopkins in 26th overall with a time of 27:49.

Fort Hays State and Saint Mary were the only two schools to post team scores under 100. Newman was third with 115 and Emporia State finished fourth at its home meet with 118.

Women Finish Second

The Tiger women finished second out of 16 teams. Hannah Robinson paced the Tigers by finishing 11th overall in a field of 154 runners. Fort Hays State finished just eight points behind team champion Baker University.

The Tigers packed together to stay near the top of the team standings. Even though FHSU did not have a top 10 finisher overall, Fort Hays State had four runners finish together in the 14th through 17th overall positions. A pair of runners were all that separated Robinson from the rest of her top five scoring teammates.

Robinson covered the 5K course in a time of 20:05, almost a minute off the winning pace of 19:08 by Lauren Jaqua from Baker University. Micki Krzesinski was the next Tiger to finish in 20:12. Kylie Gaughan was the third FHSU runner to cross the line, two seconds back in 20:14, while Marie Schaller and Ramsey McCarter were staggered just one second each behind that in 20:15 and 20:16 respectively.

Both teams take a week off before getting set to host their home meet, the FHSU Open, held at Sand Plum Nature Trail just outside of Victoria, Kan., about 10 miles east of Hays. The FHSU Open is slated for October 12.

— FHSU Sports Information —

Fort Hays State University drew a 1-1 tie with Missouri Southern on Friday night, as the match was called in double overtime due to weather.

FHSU (3-5-1, 0-2-1 MIAA) led 1-0 at half, but MSSU (2-3-2, 1-0-2 MIAA) would tie it in the second frame and force overtime.

The game was put in weather delay at 100:51, and called after lighting continued to strike in the area.

Hannay Jurgens had the Tigers’ lone goal, while Jordan Hester, who took three shots, had an assist. Amanda Talbott and Hailey Davey added two shots, while six others, including Jurgens, had one shot.

Nicole Barnaba played the entire game at goalkeeper for FHSU and had one save.

The Tigers had six shots (two on goal) in the first half, and broke the stalemate in the 45th minute.  Hester crossed a ball into the box from the right side, and Jurgens’ header found the net.  It was Jurgens’ first goal of the season, and Hester’s first assist.

In the 55th minute, FHSU’s Davey found the net, but was called offsides on the play, negating the score.

MSSU tied the game at 76:13, when a cross from Karley Thomas found Katelyn Roberson, who scored.

With the game appeared heading for overtime, FHSU would escape a near-goal for MSSU when Dani Harris stepped in front of an open net shot by Roberson, stopping the game-ending threat.

During the first extra period, FHSU had another near-miss on a game winner. Margaret Meier retrieved a ball from the top of the box after MSSU’s Beth Hammons dived after a pass, and fired on an open net, hitting the cross bar.

The Tigers travel to Wichita, Kan., on Sunday for a Newman on Sunday for a 2 p.m. matchup.

— FHSU Sports Information —

No. 21 Fort Hays State University used two goals in the second half to earn a 2-2 draw with No. 6 Northeastern State on Thursday night in Tahlequah, Okla.

The Tigers (5-1-1) fell behind 2-0 in the opening frame, but would answer back with two second half goals to force overtime with NSU (3-0-2).

Down 2-0, Daniel Peralta picked up his second goal of the season for FHSU when he nailed a penalty kick to put the Tigers within one.  Then, in the 75th minute, Jaccob Rangel scored his first goal of the year when he took a pass from Ricardo Yeverino and scored.  It was Yeverino’s first assist of the 2013 campaign.

Goalie Jason Babyak had nine saves in the contest and played the entire 110 minutes.

NSU started the game in an offensive fever, recording four shots in the opening eight minutes, and though three were saved by Babyak, Juan Peralta’s shot found the goal at 8:12.

The Tigers would pick up the offensive pace soon after, taking four shots in the first half, but NSU would push the lead to 2-0 in the 38th minute, as Brandon Carter scored for the RiverHawks.

In the 59th minute, NSU’s Eric Crawford was called for a foul on his slide tackle on Yeverino inside the goalie box, forcing a penalty kick that Peralta netted, cutting the RiverHawks’ lead to one (2-1).

At 74:59, Yeverino would cross the ball to Rangel inside the box, and Rangel found net from six feet out to tie the match, eventually sending it to extra time.

FHSU would take five shots in the overtime periods, but was unable to nab a victory, and earned its first draw of the 2013 season.

One-game into their four-game road trip, the Tigers play next at Harding in Searcy, Okla., on Saturday at 1 p.m.

— FHSU Sports Information —

Fort Hays State tennis improved to 3-2 on the season with an 8-1 win over Hastings College on Thursday (Sept. 26) at the FHSU Tennis Courts in Hays, Kan. The Tigers swept the doubles competition, then went 5-1 in singles matches.

The No. 2 doubles team of BrittneyRicci and Katie Hipp held their opponents scoreless in doubles action, winning 8-0 over Baver and Bridger. At No. 3, Michelle Miller and McKenzie Haynes defeated Christy and Schmitz 8-2. The No. 1 team of Camille Caron-Bedard and Reinette Strydom had a bit of a challenge on their hands, winning 8-4 over Parde and Harlow.

The Tigers left no doubt in five of six singles matches. Caron-Bedard blanked Parde in the No. 1 match, 6-0, 6-0. Ricci surrendered just three points to Harlow at No. 2, winning 6-2, 6-1. Hipp breezed to a 6-1, 6-0 win over Baver at No. 4 and Strydom posted a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 5 over Bridger. Raven Dick represented FHSU at No. 6 and won 6-1, 6-0 over Schmitz. Miller was the only Tiger to struggle in singles on the afternoon at No. 3. She won the first set 6-0, but then struggled the rest of the way losing 6-2 and 10-5 to Christy.

The Tigers close out the fall portion of the season next Friday against Newman University in Hays.

— FHSU Sports Information —

Fort Hays State volleyball is still in search of its first win in 2013 after a 3-1 loss at Missouri Western on Tuesday evening in St. Joseph, Mo. The Tigers fell to 0-9 overall and 0-4 in the MIAA, while the Griffons improved to 4-7 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA.

The Tigers limited runs by the Griffons throughout the night, a problem against opponents in recent matches, but could not find enough runs of their own to grab their elusive first win. The Tigers dropped the first two sets by scores of 25-22 and 25-20 before taking set three 25-21 to force a fourth.

The Tigers were down 11-5 after a slow start to the fourth, but showed fight by clawing their way back into the set. The Tigers pulled within two points six times up to 22-20 in favor of MWSU. The Tigers pulled within one on the next point, but three straight kills by the Griffons sealed the set and match.

Taylor Mares led FHSU in kills with 13, followed by Mallory Flagor with 11. Flagor led FHSU with a .276 hitting percentage in the match. Raegan Vanderplas led in assists with 22, while Libby Ary added 18. Four players reached double figures in digs, led by Makenzie Weinman and Madison Schwartz each with 11. Jenna Ulrich had a team-high five blocks in the match to go with seven kills.

Jessie Thorup had a huge night for MWSU with 21 kills, while hitting .410. Jordan Chohon led the Griffons with 30 assists and Sarah Faubel had a team-high 25 digs.

The Tigers look to snap their losing streak at home on Saturday when they host Northwest Missouri State at 3 pm.

— FHSU Sports Information —

The Fort Hays State University women’s soccer team put together a strong defensive performance in a 2-1 victory over Bethany College on Tuesday night.

The Tigers (3-5, 0-2 MIAA) snapped their four-game losing streak by limiting the Swedes (2-4) to just three shots on the night.

Dani Harris and Ceynada Guzman scored for the Tigers, while Kylee Loneker assisted on both goals, and Hannah Jurgens assisted in Harris’.

The Tigers had eight shots in the first half, and just under the halfway mark of the first period, FHSU broke the stalemate on Harris’ second goal of the season.  Harris scored at 23:21, and was assisted by Loneker and Jurgens on the play.

Coming out of halftime, FHSU’s offense sprang into action once more.  A throw-in from Loneker found Guzman alone in front of the net, where she executed a near-perfect bicycle kick for the goal, putting the Tigers up, 2-0, just one minute and 21 seconds into the second half.

BC would answer back in the 64th minute on a Jeana Russell breakaway, but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers held on for the win.

FHSU will host Missouri Southern on Friday evening at the FHSU Soccer Stadium.  The game is slated for 7 p.m.

— FHSU Sports Information —

Fort Hays State men’s golf finished 10th at the Northeastern State Classic at Emerald Falls Golf Course in Broken Arrow, Okla. on Tuesday. Trey Herman turned in his second consecutive second-place finish in a tournament as an individual, finishing with a three-round total of 222 (6-over par).

Herman sat in second place after two rounds and remained in that slot at the end of the tournament. He was just one stroke back of the lead going into the final round, but Michael Hearne of Southern Nazarene captured the individual medalist honors by shooting 1-under par in the final round. Herman shot rounds of two-over, even, and four-over par (74-72-76). Tommy Sterling of Southwestern Oklahoma State had the lead after two rounds at 1-over par, but shot 13-over par in the final round.

Central Missouri emerged as the team champion with a total of 897. Tournament host Northeastern State was seven strokes back with a 904. FHSU finished with a 937.

The Tigers were unable to climb the standings as a team, despite Herman’s solid individual effort. Mark Cunningham II was the next highest finisher for the Tigers in a tie for 42nd, 13 strokes back of Herman with a 235 total (79-82-74). Jeff Heptig tied for 61st with a total of 241 (80-81-80). Grant Storey tied for 64th with a 243 (84-81-78). Nick VonLintel also competed with a total of 249 (82-80-87). VonLintel’s first two rounds figured into the team scoring for FHSU.

The Tigers return to action in two weeks at the UCM Heart of America Invitational in Warrensburg, Mo. It is the second sanctioned MIAA event of the 2013-14 season.

— FHSU Sports Information — 

Fort Hays State men’s soccer leaped back into the NSCAA Division II Top 25 Poll on Tuesday (Sept. 24). The Tigers are No. 21 in the latest poll after a two-week absence. The Tigers were ranked No. 23 in the pre-season poll to start the year.

After dropping the first match of the season at Texas-Permian Basin, the Tigers have reeled off five straight wins to sit at 5-1 overall. The Tigers still received votes during their two-week absence from the top 25, a stretch in which they went 4-0.

The Tigers return to the road for their next four matches and put the ranking to the test on Thursday against the team they met in the NCAA Super Regional Semifinal last year – Northeastern State. The Riverhawks are ranked No. 6 in the latest poll and have yet to drop a match this season at 3-0-1. All four matches in the road swing are conference matches. The Tigers also visit Lindenwood, currently No. 10 in the poll and also undefeated at 6-0, a week after visiting NSU. Matches at Harding and Southwest Baptist are also in the road stretch.

FHSU, Northeastern State and Lindenwood are the three schools representing the MIAA in the national poll.

— FHSU Sports Information —

Below is the latest edition of the NSCAA Division II National Poll (Sept. 24, 2013)…

1	Simon Fraser	1	6-0-0
2	LIU Post	2	6-0-0
3	Rollins	3	5-0-0
4	Notre Dame (Ohio)	4	6-0-0
5	West Texas A&M	8	5-0-0
6	Northeastern State (Okla.)	9	3-0-1
7	Drury	16	6-1-0
8	Lander	11	3-0-1
9	Colorado Mines	17	4-0-1
10	Lindenwood	14	6-0-0
11	University Of Tampa	18	3-0-2
12	Lewis	NR	4-0-2
13	Wilmington (Del.)	21	6-1-0
14	Cal State Dominguez Hills	RV	4-0-2
15	North Carolina-Pembroke	RV	5-1-0
16	Fort Lewis	22	3-0-1
17	Saint Leo	RV	4-0-0
18	Mercy	24	5-0-0
19	Mercyhurst	12	4-2-0
20	Rockhurst	10	4-1-1
21	Fort Hays State	RV	5-1-0
22	University Of Charleston	20	4-2-0
22	UC San Diego	RV	4-1-1
24	Young Harris	RV	4-1-1
25	West Alabama	NR	5-0-1

Fort Hays State’s Diego Cabral is the MIAA Men’s Soccer Player of the Week. Cabral scored game-winners in both of FHSUs matches this weekend – a 2-1 (2OT) win over Southern Nazarene and a 3-0 victory over Newman. He led the team with 6 points on the weekend. His goal against SNU came at 108:42 as he kicked in the overtime game winner. The 5-6 junior forward is a native of Asuncion, Paraguay where he competed at Cristo Rey High School.

— MIAA Media Relations —