By KLINT SPILLER

The Hays Daily News

Against Rockhurst (Mo.) University, the Fort Hays State University volleyball team simply couldn't finish.

The Tigers (7-21) led late in the first two sets Tuesday night against the Hawks (18-11) in Gross Memorial Coliseum, but surrendered 7-point and 5-point runs at the end of the first and second sets, respectively, helping Rockhurst take the match, 25-22, 25-21, 25-21.

"It is frustrating letting a win go like that when we were so close," senior outside hitter Lydia Karnopp said. "We just need to finish the game, you know? We need to step up and take control at the end."

The Tigers led 19-15 in the first set but were outscored 10-3 down the stretch. In the second set, Fort Hays led 21-20 but gave up five consecutive points to lose.

In the third set, the Tigers never claimed a lead.

Under Coach Tracy Rietzke, Rockhurst is one of the top programs in NCAA Division II, posting a 366-86 record since joining the NCAA in 1998. Fort Hays first-year coach Kurt Kohler said his team is still trying to reach that pinnacle.

"That is something that we are still trying to build," Kohler said. "It is not something that comes along overnight. You've got to develop that killer instinct and have to have the right players in place."

The Tigers steadily improved their hitting percentage Tuesday, combining for a .195 hitting percentage.

Though Kohler said he was satisfied with his team's hitting, he believes the players are sill going to have to do better if his team is to succeed.

"We really need to be up around .250 if we are planning on winning," Kohler said. "I thought on the outside we had some good swings. We need to get our middles involved a little more, but I don't think we killed ourselves on the offensive side tonight."

Senior outside hitter Lilian Rezende led the team on offense and on defense, posting a team-high 13 kills, a team-high .500 hitting percentage and a team-high 12 digs.

"I try to do my best to help the team, but it is pretty good," Rezende said. "I didn't expect to be as good as the stats show. I work hard to help my team."

Freshman outside hitter Makayla McPhail posted nine kills, while junior Antonia Jones and Karnopp each added eight.

Junior setter Whitney Liggett and sophomore setter Lindsey Larson led the team in assists with 21 and 13, respectively.

McPhail and sophomore libero Tracie Hileman also produced double-digit digs, posting 11 each.

"I think some of the girls have a little bit of trouble with that," Rezende said. "We are working on it. We will come back and work hard to fix those little things for our next game."

The Tigers hit the road Friday and Saturday for Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association action against No. 20 University of Nebraska-Omaha (18-8 overall, 8-5 MIAA) and fourth-ranked University of Central Missouri (36-3, 12-1).