Jayhawks Defeat Alumni in Scrimmage

Aug. 19, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

The University of Kansas volleyball team opened its 2006 season by sweeping a team comprised of KU alumni Saturday night at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center. Behind a strong team effort, the Jayhawks won the exhibition match in three games, 30-26, 30-28 and 30-27.

Preseason All-Big 12 junior Emily Brown led the Jayhawks with 14 kills, while adding 11 assists and 10 digs in the match. Senior Megan Hill added eight kills on a .571 attack percentage and two digs while senior Jana Correa added eight kills and six digs in the match.

Redshirt freshman Katie Martincich led KU with 33 assists while senior defensive specialist Jamie Mathewson led all Jayhawks with 16 digs. The Jayhawks combined for nine blocks and six aces during the match, although they fired 13 service errors.

“After the first half of the first game, from a serving perspective, I thought we played well,” Coach Ray Bechard said following the victory. “We passed the ball pretty well and our overall attack was pretty good. We got into a close game situation in game two, which was helpful and we responded well.”

Former KU volleyball manager and Ottawa University assistant volleybacll coach Phil Oberzan led the alumni with 13 kills and Laura Rhode Curry dished out 19 assists during the match.

“That was as competitive a group of alumni as we’ve had put together,” Bechard added.

Kansas opens the season Aug. 25 at the Crimson Tide Invitational, when it takes on Alabama A&M. The Jayhawks will also square off against the University of Miami and Alabama during the tournament. The Jayhawks’ home opener will be on Aug. 29, when they host UMKC at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center at 7 p.m.