Category: Sports
HOOPS HIGHLIGHTS: FHSU women/TMP girls off to hot start
By C.D. DESALVO
Hays Post
Fort Hays State women continue strong start
The fifth-ranked Fort Hays State University women won their program record 13th straight game to open the season Saturday on the road against Southwest Baptist 92-67. The Tigers outscored the Bearcats 54-21 in the second and third quarters and scored 38 points off of turnovers to remain at the top of the MIAA conference. For more on the game, click here.
Tony Hobson the winningest coach in FHSU history
With the victory, FHSU women’s head coach Tony Hobson becomes the winningest coach in program history with 218. Hobson is now 631-198 in his 27 years as a collegiate head coach.
TMP girls go 2-0 over the weekend
The TMP girls, who were 2-3 early in the season, have improved to 5-3 after winning three in a row. TMP played back-to-back games over the weekend beating Ellis on Friday night 63-38 and Sacred Heat of Salina on Saturday 73-51. Adell Riedel scored 30 points over the two games with 13 against Ellis and 17 on Saturday against Sacred Heart. You can read more about Saturday’s game including highlights and interviews here.
Hays High’s Tradgon McCrae scores 20 for third straight game
The Hays High Indians opened the 2019 year and WAC play on the road in Liberal with a 68-56 win Friday night. Senior Tradgon McCrae has now scored 62 points in the last three games with 22 against Colby, 20 against Pratt and 20 Friday night. Hays High is now 4-2 on the year and 1-0 in the WAC. You can hear highlights and coach reactions here.
OVERTIME
Central Plains continues success
Central Plains’ junior Emily Ryan’s unprecedented high school career saw another milestone Friday night. Ryan scored 41 points in three quarters in a 98-25 win over Macksville.
Central Plains girls head coach Pat Stiles’ 92 consecutive wins is nearing the record of 107 set by Shelly Hoyt at Hoxie. Stiles is 157-4 since taking over as the head coach of the Oiler girls and has won five straight state titles.
Courtesy of Ben Mitchum.
Have highlights you want to share for next week’s Hoops Highlights? Email them to C.D. DeSalvo. Photos are encouraged!
Hays High wrestling wins dual tournament
The Hays High wrestling team went 5-0 at the Topeka Seaman Dual Tournament this past Friday. Corey Hale, Creighton Newell, Kyle Casper, Kreighton Meyers, Dalton Dale, Cole Schroeder, Gavin Nutting, and Logan Schulte were all named to the All-Tournament Team.
The Indians dominated the tournament the day following a three plus hour trip to Liberal to dual the Redskins. Hays won by an average score of 61-15 and the closet dual was 48-21 versus the host Topeka Seaman.
Hays returns to action Tuesday as they host 6A, state ranked Dodge City beginning at 5:00.
Hays (HAYS) 58.0 Basehor-Linwood (BALI) 18.0
152: Kaden Jacobson (BALI) over Landon Summers (HAYS) (Fall 1:54)
160: Kreighton Meyers (HAYS) over Tanner Parish (BALI) (MD 9-0)
170: Dalton Dale (HAYS) over Nathan Crews (BALI) (Fall 0:19)
182: Hunter Parish (BALI) over DaVontai Robinson (HAYS) (Fall 6:00)
195: Cole Schroeder (HAYS) over Emanuel Vazquez (BALI) (Fall 0:42)
220: Gavin Nutting (HAYS) over Josh Willcutt (BALI) (Fall 3:10)
285: Logan Schulte (HAYS) over (BALI) (For.)
106: Devon Mayfield (HAYS) over Anthony Casenas (BALI) (Fall 3:25)
113: Brayden Hines (HAYS) over Brayton Olesen (BALI) (Fall 3:04)
120: Cohen Suchy (BALI) over Grant Karlin (HAYS) (Dec 8-7)
126: Corey Hale (HAYS) over Aidan Baker (BALI) (Fall 1:41)
132: Creighton Newell (HAYS) over Zachary Radefeld (BALI) (Fall 3:28)
138: Joe Phillips (BALI) over Hazen Keener (HAYS) (Dec 8-5)
145: Kyle Casper (HAYS) over (BALI) (For.)
Hays (HAYS) 54.0 Lansing (LANS) 18.0
160: Kreighton Meyers (HAYS) over Jack Knutson (LANS) (Dec 8-2)
170: Dalton Dale (HAYS) over Andrew Shields (LANS) (Fall 2:16)
182: DaVontai Robinson (HAYS) over Justin Mirto (LANS) (Dec 7-5)
195: Cole Schroeder (HAYS) over Kobi Lawrence (LANS) (Fall 1:28)
220: Gavin Nutting (HAYS) over Calvin Sholey (LANS) (Fall 1:42)
285: Logan Schulte (HAYS) over Braiden McKee (LANS) (Fall 4:31)
106: Camden Maestas (LANS) over Devon Mayfield (HAYS) (Fall 0:30)
113: Brayden Hines (HAYS) over (LANS) (For.)
120: Grant Karlin (HAYS) over Ayreon Daniels (LANS) (Dec 2-1)
126: Corey Hale (HAYS) over (LANS) (For.)
132: Creighton Newell (HAYS) over Gabriel Bailey (LANS) (Dec 5-1)
138: Claye Howard (LANS) over Hazen Keener (HAYS) (Fall 1:12)
145: Kyle Casper (HAYS) over Joseph Irwin (LANS) (Fall 2:14)
152: Malachi Tinnel (LANS) over Landon Summers (HAYS) (Fall 0:13)
Hays (HAYS) 78.0 Topeka (TOPE) 5.0
170: Dalton Dale (HAYS) over (TOPE) (For.)
182: Vince Vehise (TOPE) over DaVontai Robinson (HAYS) (TF 15-0 3:10)
195: Cole Schroeder (HAYS) over (TOPE) (For.)
220: Gavin Nutting (HAYS) over Tre Thomas (TOPE) (Fall 1:21)
285: Logan Schulte (HAYS) over Steven Desch (TOPE) (Fall 1:42)
106: Devon Mayfield (HAYS) over Alex Smith (TOPE) (Fall 2:57)
113: Brayden Hines (HAYS) over (TOPE) (For.)
120: Grant Karlin (HAYS) over (TOPE) (For.)
126: Corey Hale (HAYS) over (TOPE) (For.)
132: Creighton Newell (HAYS) over Conner O`Donnell (TOPE) (Fall 1:18)
138: Hazen Keener (HAYS) over Apostollo Zunisa (TOPE) (Fall 1:09)
145: Kyle Casper (HAYS) over Matthew Cutsholl (TOPE) (Fall 2:52)
152: Landon Summers (HAYS) over Elijah Barron (TOPE) (Fall 0:45)
160: Kreighton Meyers (HAYS) over Skyler Blevins (TOPE) (Fall 5:13)
Hays (HAYS) 66.0 Lawrence (LAWR) 12.0
182: AJ. Powell (LAWR) over DaVontai Robinson (HAYS) (Fall 1:24)
195: Cole Schroeder (HAYS) over Gentry Dennison (LAWR) (Fall 5:25)
220: Gavin Nutting (HAYS) over Ethan Rorabaugh (LAWR) (Fall 1:15)
285: Logan Schulte (HAYS) over EJae Jewsome (LAWR) (Dec 5-1)
106: Kevin Honas (LAWR) over Devon Mayfield (HAYS) (Fall 0:43)
113: Brayden Hines (HAYS) over (LAWR) (For.)
120: Grant Karlin (HAYS) over (LAWR) (For.)
126: Corey Hale (HAYS) over (LAWR) (For.)
132: Creighton Newell (HAYS) over (LAWR) (For.)
138: Hazen Keener (HAYS) over William Maas (LAWR) (Fall 1:25)
145: Kyle Casper (HAYS) over Henry DeWitt (LAWR) (Fall 0:45)
152: Landon Summers (HAYS) over Fransoir Jones (LAWR) (Fall 1:29)
160: Kreighton Meyers (HAYS) over Justin Miller (LAWR) (Dec 7-0)
170: Dalton Dale (HAYS) over (LAWR) (For.)
Hays (HAYS) 48.0 Topeka-Seaman (TOSE) 21.0
195: Cole Schroeder (HAYS) over (TOSE) (For.)
220: Gavin Nutting (HAYS) over Ezra Shove (TOSE) (Fall 2:58)
285: Logan Schulte (HAYS) over Jared Kerr (TOSE) (Fall 3:35)
106: Austin Lady (TOSE) over Devon Mayfield (HAYS) (Fall 2:55)
113: Chandler Buessing (TOSE) over Brayden Hines (HAYS) (Dec 11-5)
120: Kyle Adams (TOSE) over Grant Karlin (HAYS) (Dec 5-2)
126: Corey Hale (HAYS) over Cameron Smith (TOSE) (Fall 2:45)
132: Creighton Newell (HAYS) over Corbin Gilfillan (TOSE) (Fall 1:31)
138: Landon Willard (TOSE) over Hazen Keener (HAYS) (Fall 2:29)
145: Kyle Casper (HAYS) over Askew Cole (TOSE) (Fall 3:08)
152: Baily Meredith (TOSE) over Landon Summers (HAYS) (Dec 9-7)
160: Kreighton Meyers (HAYS) over Dylan Williams (TOSE) (Dec 12-9)
170: Dalton Dale (HAYS) over Evan Scragg (TOSE) (Dec 13-7)
182: DaVontai Robinson (HAYS) over Blake Smith (TOSE) (Fall 2:38)
No. 5 Kansas loses Azubuike for season to torn hand tendon
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Fifth-ranked Kansas will be without center Udoka Azubuike for the remainder of the season after an MRI exam Sunday revealed the 7-footer tore ligaments in his right hand during practice.
Jayhawks coach Bill Self said in a statement that X-rays taken after Friday’s practice did not show the severity of the injury. The MRI exam revealed the tendon tear, which is similar to a torn tendon Azubuike had in his opposite hand in December 2016 that sidelined him the remainder of his freshman season.
“The surgery date will be set early this week,” Self said. “The doctors expect a complete recovery and Udoka will be able to resume full basketball activities at some point this summer.”
The injury is a significant blow to the Jayhawks’ interior depth, not to mention their national title aspirations. The nation’s preseason No. 1 already has been playing without sophomore forward Silvio De Sousa, whose eligibility remains in question after his name surfaced in the FBI probe into apparel company adidas.
Self said recently that there has been no change in De Sousa’s status.
The Jayhawks (12-2, 1-1) lost 77-60 to Iowa State on Saturday in their first game without their bruising center from Nigeria. But that was a byproduct of 24 turnovers and some patchy work on defense rather than any issues in the paint, where Kansas had a dominant plus-15 advantage on the boards.
“We’ve been living on the razor’s edge a lot,” Self said. “Granted, we don’t have a lot of where we can go to guarantee us having a great possession. We really don’t have good ball-handlers right now.”
Azubuike had been rounding into the sure thing before his injury.
After missing time earlier this season with a sprained ankle, he had been on a tear the past couple of games. He had 23 points and nine boards in a blowout of Eastern Michigan, then had eight points and nine more rebounds in a comfortable win over No. 23 Oklahoma to begin defense of the Jayhawks’ Big 12 title.
The only other true center on the Kansas roster is relatively raw freshman David McCormack, which means Self could be forced to use smaller lineups again. He prefers to run with two big men but has leaned on four-guard lineups the past couple of seasons because of the configuration of his roster.
The starting lineup Self used Saturday featured Dedric Lawson in the post, with Marcus Garrett joining starters Lagerald Vick, Quentin Grimes and Devon Dotson in a four-guard backcourt.
Whether that sticks when Kansas returns to the floor against TCU on Wednesday night remains to be seen.
“We’ve got a lot of stuff we’ve got to hammer out,” Self said, “and hopefully we can do it relatively soon. …. There’s no question, eventually you’re going to play like you practice. So certainly, we’ve got to be better in practice, I think, and that will probably translate to better performances in the games.”
Alston, Temple rally late to beat Wichita State in OT
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Shizz Alston Jr. scored 22 points, Nate Pierre-Louis added 21 and Temple rallied to beat Wichita State 85-81 in overtime Sunday in its American Athletic Conference home debut.
Pierre-Louis made the go-ahead layup (78-76) with 2:39 left in overtime and Temple (11-3, 1-1) led the rest of the way.
After Alston’s long 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock made it 83-79 with 48.4 seconds left, Samajae Haynes-Jones made a layup and got fouled. He missed the free throw but followed with the offensive rebound. After working the ball, Erik Stevenson drove the right baseline but lost the ball and Temple recovered.
Near the end of regulation, Markis McDuffie made a 3 with 3:35 left and Wichita State (7-7, 0-2) led 74-63. But the Shockers didn’t score again and the Owls went on an 11-0 run to force overtime. Alston’s jumper with 37 seconds left tied it at 74. Dexter Dennis missed a potential game-winning 3-point attempt with four seconds left.
Wichita State led 45-32 at halftime before Temple outscored the Shockers 20-8 and shaved the deficit to 53-52 on a Quinton Rose layup with 12:22 remaining. Rose finished with 17 points.
McDuffie scored 24, Haynes-Jones 22, Dennis 14 and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler 12.
TMP girls win; boys lose at Sacred Heart
The TMP-Marian boys and girls basketball teams split a non-conference doubleheader Saturday at Salina Sacred Heart.
Girls: TMP 73, Sacred Heart 51
The TMP girls had four players score in double-figures and outscored Sacred Heart 44-22 in the second half on their way to a 73-51 win Saturday in Salina.
The two teams traded baskets for the entire first-half with neither team building a more than five-point lead with the two teams finishing tied at 29 at halftime.
The Knights took a two-point lead to open the second-half but Adell Riedel hit her first of three second-half three-points and sparked a 16-3 run to gave the Monarchs a 45-34 third quarter lead. They would never trail again on their way to their third win in-a-row.
Riedel finished with a game-high 17 and Emilee Lane recorded her first career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The Monarchs improve to 5-3 on the season.
Rose McFarland postgame interview
Game highlights
Boys: Sacred Heart 57, TMP 34
For the second night in-a-row the TMP boys jumped out to an early lead only to come up short falling 57-34 to Sacred Heart.
TMP’s Ryan Karlin scored seven of the Monarchs first eight points as they took an early 8-2 lead. Sacred Heart would answer right back though, using a 12-2 run to end the first quarter to build a 14-10 lead.
The Knights carried the momentum into the second-quarter opening the quarter on an 11-2 run to take a 25-14 lead as they cruised to the win.
Karlin led the Monarchs with a season-high 17.
The Monarchs drop to 4-4 on the season.
Bill Meagher postgame interview
Game highlights
Werth leads Tigers past Southwest Baptist
BOLIVAR, Mo. – Brady Werth had a double-double with 17 points and a career-high 13 rebounds and Fort Hays State used a decisive run over a 15 minute stretch of the first and second halves to beat Southwest 73-58 Saturday at the Meyer Sports Center.
After trailing by six early in the game, the Tigers (9-4, 3-1 MIAA) closed the first half on a 12-3 run to go up nine at the break. It was part of a 33-11 run that pushed their lead to 22.
Mark Johnson Postgame Interview
Game Highlights
The Tigers defense held SBU 8-5, 2-2 MIAA) to season-low 35-percent shooting and season-low in points.
Marcus Cooper added 10 points while Aaron Nicholson and Trey O’Neil both scored nine.
Two night’s after being held to a season low in shooting and scoring, the Tigers shoot 50-percent from the floor and went 11-for-23 from three including 8-for-14 in the second half.
5th-ranked Tiger women roll past Bearcats; Hobson becomes programs winningest coach
BOLIVAR, Mo. – Carlie Heim scored a game-high 16 points and Fort Hays State used a big run midway through the second quarter to take control in a 92-67 win over Southwest Baptist Saturday afternoon at the Meyer Sports Center.
The win is a program best 13th straight to open the season and is the 218th for Tony Hobson making him the winningest coach in FHSU history.
Tony Hobson Postgame Interview
Game Highlights
The Tigers (13-0, 4-0 MIAA) led by 10 in the first quarter before Southwest Baptist (4-9, 0-4 MIAA) closed the frame with an 11-1 run to tie the game 19-19.
The Tigers were up two with 4:45 to play in the second when they scored 12 unanswered to take control. It was part of a 29-5 run over the next 10 minutes that saw their lead grow to 28.
The Tigers scored 38 points off 22 SBU turnovers and added 20 second chance points off 16 offensive rebounds.
FHSU had four players reach double-figures. Whitney Randall came off the bench to score 15, Belle Barbiere, who made 4-for-5 shots from the floor and 5-of-6 free throws added 13 and Lanie Page 12.
Monarchs split MCL matchup in Ellis
The TMP-Marian Monarchs boys and girls basketball team split a doubleheader in Ellis Friday night.
Girls: TMP 63, Ellis 38
The TMP girls used runs of 8-0 and 14-4 to build a double digit lead in the first half on their way to the fourth win in their last five games, 63-38 Friday in Ellis.
After the two teams traded leads in the first quarter Ellis took a 9-7 lead with 3:40 left in the first quarter but the Monarchs took the lead for good using an 8-0 run to lead 15-9 at the end of the first quarter.
Kyleigh Allen scored the first four points of the second quarter and sparked a 14-4 run that gave the Monarchs a 29-15 lead as the Monarchs cruised the win.
Adell Riedel led the Monarchs with 13 points and Sasha Wasinger chipped in 12.
The Monarchs at 4-3 and 3-0 in the MCL.
Rose McFarland postgame interview
Game highlights
Boys: Ellis 53, TMP 49
The Ellis Railroaders rallied from down 15 in the first-half to upend the TMP boys 53-49 Friday in Ellis.
TMP had first quarter runs of 10-2 and 12-4 to build a 22-10 first quarter lead.
Early in the second quarter the Monarchs opened their largest lead of the game at 15 following a pair of Ryan Karlin free throws at 27-12.
Despite the large deficit the Railroaders never faded and outscored the Monarchs 41-22 over the final two and a half quarters as they rallied for the win, their first MCL win of the season.
The Monarchs shot 10-14 in the first quarter but made just 9-of-35 field goals in the final three quarters.
Jackson Schulte led three Monarchs in double figures with 13. Zachary Eck finished with a career-high 26 for the Railroaders.
Bill Meagher postgame interview
Game highlights
The TMP boys fall to 4-3 on the season and 2-1 in the MCL.
The Monarchs travel to Salina Sacred Heart on Saturday.
High school basketball scoreboard
Girls
Western Athletic Conference
Hays 42 Liberal 61
Garden City 47 Great Bend 29
Cimarron 40 Dodge City 54
Mid-Continent League
TMP 63 Ellis 38
Phillipsburg 45 Plainville 43
Norton 67 Stockton 36
Smith Center 26 Oakley 31
Central Prairie League
Otis-Bison 50 Victoria 25
Ellinwood 58 Fairfield 57
Macksville 25 Central Plains 98
Ness City 20 St. John 42
Northern Plains League
Hill City 12 St. Johns/Tipton 47
Lincoln 21 Osborne 34
Northwest Kansas League
Greeley Co. 22 Hoxie 59
Western Kansas Liberty League
Palco 26 Weskan 54
Golden Plains 47 Logan 25
Great Western Activities Conference
Scott City 41 Colby 26
Goodland 47 Hugoton 52
Ulysses 48 Holcomb 36
Central Kansas League
Hoisington 31 Hesston 51
Larned 36 Lakin 37
Pratt 23 Haven 57
Boys
Western Athletic Conference
Hays 68 Liberal 56
Cimarron 44 Dodge City 85
Mid-Continent League
TMP 49 Ellis 53
Phillipsburg 73 Plainville 62
Norton 58 Stockton 55
Smith Center 46 Oakley 65
Central Prairie League
Otis-Bison 48 Victoria 51
Ellinwood 68 Fairfield 21
Macksville 27 Central Plains 59
Ness City 56 St. John 64
Northern Plains League
Hill City 39 St. Johns/Tipton 49
Lincoln 36 Osborne 62
Northwest Kansas League
Greeley Co. 42 Hoxie 67
Western Kansas Liberty League
Palco 35 Weskan 59
Golden Plains 48 Logan 47
Great Western Activities Conference
Scott City 49 Colby 43
Goodland 35 Hugoton 72
Central Kansas League
Hoisington 22 Hesston 21
Pratt 42 Haven 52
Hays at Liberal
The Hays High Indians opened the 2019 portion of their schedule in Liberal on Friday prior to returning to school.
Girls
#5-6A Liberal 61 – Hays 42
Hays held Liberal scoreless for the first 4:30 minutes of the game but could only build a 4-0 advantage. The Redskins first scored at the 3:25 mark of the first quarter and sparked a 9-0 run. The Indians cut the deficit down to two at 9-7 early in the second quarter and had the ball twice with a chance to tie or take the lead. Liberal held off Hays on those two possessions and another Indian threat at 12-10. The Redskins closed the second quarter on a 12-3 run to build their largest lead of the half at 24-13.
Highlights
Liberal powered out to a 16 point lead early in the third quarter before the Indians’ best run of the night at 11-4 closed the game down to nine 36-27. Hays trailed one more time by nine at 38-29 but would pull no closer the rest of the night losing 61-42.
Liberal made 17 of 19 free throw attempts and 8 of 21 three pointers while moving to 7-0 on the year and opening Western Athletic Conference play at 1-0. Hays falls to 3-3 and 0-1 in league play.
Coach Alex Hutchins
Hays was led in scoring by Brooke Denning with 11. Savannah Schneider made all eight of her free throw attempts and scored 10 in the game.
Boys
Hays 68 – Liberal 56
Liberal made four of their first six shots in the game as Hays missed each of their first six shots and the Redskins jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first four minutes. Hays finally broke the ice and made four consecutive shots to close the game down to 13-8 after one quarter.
Liberal led by nine with four minutes to go in the second quarter when the Indians started to play their best basketball of the game. Over the next 5:40 that led into the third quarter Hays went on a 24-3 run to grab a 36-24 advantage. The Indians pushed their advantage to 15 midway through the third and led 47-35 to the fourth quarter.
Highlights
Liberal continued to shoot well behind the arc and pulled within eight at 55-47. The Redskins had the ball and launched a right wing three that was tipped by Dalyn Schwarz, rebounded by Cade Swayne who passed out to Tradgon McCrae, who found Schwarz for a layup and foul for a three point play. The play sparked a game decisive 12-0 run as Hays won 68-56.
Coach Rick Keltner
Hays was led by Tradgon McCrae who scored 20 and hit the 20 point mark for a third straight game. Cade Swayne had career highs with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Dalyn Schwarz also added a career high 13 in the victory.
The defending WAC champs Hays High is now 4-2 on the year and 1-0 in the conference. Liberal falls to 5-2 and 0-1.
Hays is on the road to Great Bend next Tuesday.
Fort Hays State volleyball adds seven for 2019 season
FHSU Athletics
Fort Hays State head volleyball coach Jessica Wood-Atkins has announced the signing of seven student-athletes in advance of the 2019 season. This year’s signing class includes players from four states, two pairs of high school teammates, three outside hitters, two middle hitters and two setters.
Paige Baird | Outside Hitter | 5-7
Long Island, Kan. (Northern Valley HS)
Paige Baird joins the Tigers after a decorated athletic career at Northern Valley High School in Almena, Kan. The Long Island, Kan. native was a three-sport athlete, earning All-State honors in volleyball, basketball and track & field. She helped the Huskies win the 1A-DII state title inside Gross Memorial Coliseum as a junior. Baird earned All-State honors four times, including being named the Kansas 1A Player of the Year as a junior in 2017. The outside hitter compiled 2,164 kills and 388 aces in her high school career. Outside of volleyball, Baird has eclipsed 1,000 points on the basketball court while winning first place at the state track meet four times (400m three times, 300m hurdles once).
Morgan Christiansen | Middle Hitter | 6-0
Lincoln, Neb. (Pius X HS)
Morgan Christiansen has signed with the Tigers after three seasons at Pius X High School in Lincoln, Neb. A two sport athlete, Morgan earned three varsity letters with the volleyball team as well as the basketball program. The middle hitter was named second team all-city in 2017 while helping the Thunderbolts to three consecutive Class A State Tournament appearances (runner-up in 2018). Christiansen totaled 189 kills, 88 blocks, 34 aces and a .365 hitting percentage as a senior. She has also excelled in the classroom, earning honor roll accolades while being listed on the Academic All-State roster.
Paige Dechant | Setter | 5-9
Hutchinson, Kan. (Trinity Catholic HS)
Paige Dechant comes to Hays via Trinity Catholic High School in Hutchinson, Kan. The setter earned a trio of Heart of America all-league honors, picking up first team honors as a senior after earning honorable mention recognition as a sophomore and junior. Dechant twice earned all-tournament honors at the Coleman Classic as well as the Red & Blue Classic. In addition to picking up four volleyball varsity letters, Dechant was a four-year member of the nationally recognized cheerleading squad while running track and field for three years.
Emily Ellis | Middle Hitter | 6-0
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Rampart HS)
Emily Ellis is the first of two future Tigers from Rampart High School in Colorado Springs, Colo. Ellis lettered in volleyball two times while also participating in track & field and swimming. She earned all-league honors each season, picking up first team honors once and second team honors once. The middle hitter compiled 292 kills and 137 total blocks in her career with the Rams. She has been listed on the honor roll as well as the dean’s list three times.
Mykah Eshbaugh | Outside Hitter/Rightside Hitter | 6-1
Concordia, Kan. (Allen D. Nease HS)
Mykah Jo Eshbaugh will head to Hays after graduating from Allen D. Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Fla. The 6-1 hitter was twice named to All-First Coast, earning first team honors as a senior after picking up second team accolades as a junior. Eshbaugh played her first two seasons at Concordia (Kan.) High School, earning first team All-State and all-league honors both years. Mykah earned all-state tournament honors in 2015 and 2016 while helping the Lady Panthers to a pair of state runner-up finishes. Mykah joins her sister, Jordan Eshbaugh, on the Tiger roster.
Delaney Humm | Outside Hitter | 5-9
Lincoln, Neb. (Pius X HS)
Delaney Humm is the second signee from Pius X High School. Humm earned three letters for the Thunderbolts, picking up multiple All-State honors. The outside hitter was named first team Class A All-State as a senior in 2018 after earning second team honors as a junior. Additionally, Humm was named to the third team of the All-Class All-State roster in 2018. She picked up first team all-city honors in 2018 after an honorable mention nod in 2017. Delaney was named first team all-state tournament after leading the Thunderbolts to a runner-up finish in 2018. She has been named on the honor roll each of the last two years thanks to her work in the classroom.
Haley McCorkle | Setter | 5-5
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Rampart HS)
Haley McCorkle joins high school teammate Emily Ellis as the second signee from Rampart High School in Colorado Springs, Colo. McCorkle picked up two varsity letters with the Rams, serving as the primary setter as a senior after seeing significant playing time as a junior. Haley was selected to play in the CCGS All-State game as a senior in 2018 after earning second team all-conference honors. She was named team captain, helping lead the Rams to a league title. McCorkle led the Colorado Springs Metro League in assists and aces as a senior, totaling 731 assists and 54 aces. Additional accolades include honorable mention Academic All-State honors as well as an XTRA Sports Drive Time Athlete of the Week award.
Tigers look to bounce back as road trip continues in Missouri
FHSU Athletics
Fort Hays State looks to bounce back from a loss Thursday when it plays at Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, Missouri on Saturday (Jan. 5). Both teams enter at 8-4 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA. The Tigers will attempt to snap a five-game losing streak in true road games that dates back to last season.
The Tigers are coming off a 63-54 loss at Central Missouri on Thursday evening in Warrensburg. The Tigers held a seven-point lead with 10 minutes to go in the game, but the Mules rallied with a 28-12 run to close the game. FHSU shot its lowest field goal percentage of the season, hitting at just a 36.5 percent clip. Northwest Missouri State and Washburn are now the only remaining unbeaten teams in MIAA play so far.
Southwest Baptist claimed a 78-76 win over Nebraska-Kearney on Thursday night in Bolivar. It ran the Bearcats’ win streak to three games. Southwest Baptist has played 10 of its 12 games this year at home, posting an 8-2 record at the Meyer Sports Center so far. The Bearcats have played just one game outside the state of Missouri so far, that being a 97-72 loss at Washburn back on December 6.
Fort Hays State and Southwest Baptist split regular season meetings last year. FHSU won by 18 in Hays and SBU won by five in overtime in Bolivar. Saturday marks the only meeting between the schools this year.