KU Volleyball Spring Season Gets Underway

March 9, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

It was an early morning for the Kansas volleyball team Monday as the Jayhawks began its spring season with a 6 a.m. practice in the Horejsi Family Athletics Center, the home of Kansas volleyball.

KU will practice five days a week until the end of April and have four days of competition in that time. Matches during spring competition consist of a best out of three format, with the third set played to 15 points.

The Jayhawks’ begin their spring season competition on March 28 at Wichita State and proceeds from the match will go to benefit cancer research.

On April 7, Kansas will host UMKC, Washburn and Rockhurst in three shortened matches. Shortly after, KU heads to Tulane University in New Orleans on April 11 for a trio of matches against Tulane, New Orleans and Southern Mississippi.

Kansas will close out its spring competition on April 18 in Kansas City, Mo., where it will face St. Louis, Creighton and Colorado State.

“Our spring season will enable us to accomplish a number of goals,” said head coach Ray Bechard. “The benefit match at Wichita State will allow us to be part of a very important cause, fighting cancer, and it will also allow Jenna Kaiser and Melissa Manda to play in their hometown. Our trip to New Orleans will allow Brittany Williams to do the same. Our competition on the April 18 gives us a chance to play the top teams from this region. It should be a very productive spring both from a practice and competition standpoint.”

In 2008, Kansas went 13-16 overall and 7-13 in Big 12 play.