Jayhawks Rout Alumni, 3-0

Aug. 23, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Fans got to see a preview of the 2008 Kansas volleyball team tonight as the Jayhawks opened the 2008 season with a scrimmage against KU alumni at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center. KU was victorious as it defeated the alumni 3-0 in the new 25-point set format (25-20, 25-18, 25-23).

Sophomore outside hitter Karina Garlington led all players with 11 kills, while also pitching in six digs. Junior Brittany Williams and freshman Allison Mayfield each contributed nine kills a piece for the Jayhawks. Senior Natalie Uhart followed with seven and also added a team-high four total blocks.

As a team, Kansas notched 42 kills compared to just 23 for the alumni.

Junior Katie Martincich ran an efficient offense tallying 32 assists.

In the back court, sophomore libero Melissa Manda secured the defense digging up 10 balls in KU’s 2008 debut.

“It was good to get the team playing in front of some people,” said head coach Ray Bechard. “We had a lot of strings of good plays and, although I feel like our offense didn’t run as smooth as I thought it should have at times, I was happy with what I saw tonight.”

For the alumni, 2003 graduate Abbie Jacobson led her squad with eight kills. Molly LaMere had a team-high 19 assists and six digs.

Kansas heads into its first match next weekend in the VCU Invitational. The Jayhawks will go up against VCU on Aug. 29 at 6:00 p.m. (CST) before taking on NC State Sunday morning at 11 a.m. (CST). Live stats will be available for both matches at KUAthletics.com.