Jayhawks Open Season With Sweep of Alabama A&M
Aug. 25, 2006
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. –
Senior Jana Correa led all players with 14 kills as the University of Kansas volleyball team defeated Alabama A&M, 3-0, Friday at the Coleman Auxiliary Volleyball Extension. The Jayhawks (1-0) prevailed 30-17, 30-8 and 30-14, in their first game of the Academy Sports/Crimson Invitational.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Correa’s 14 kills came on a career-high .765 attack percentage (17 attempts, one error) while she added three service aces and six digs. Sophomore Savannah Noyes totaled 10 kills (.571 hitting efficiency) and led all blockers with four total stuffs.
Junior Emily Brown was errorless at the net in 12 attempts (seven kills) and had 14 assists and three block assists in the victory. Redshirt freshman Katie Martincich dished a match-best 18 assists in her first career appearance. Senior Megan Hill added six kills and freshman Isadora Rangel had five to round out the offensive leaders.
As a team, KU totaled 10 aces, nine blocks and an impressive .512 attack percentage in the match. All 15 active Jayhawks saw action in the win. KU held A&M (0-1) to a -.013 hitting efficiency (19 kills, 20 errors, 76 attempts) in the effort.
“We were really pleased with our hitting efficiency and can take away a lot of good things from the match,” KU head coach Ray Bechard said. “Alabama A&M is a young team and we will see some different things tomorrow with Miami and Alabama. They are both very experienced, NCAA Tournament-type teams.”
KU started strong, jumping to a 6-0 lead in the first stanza. Behind Noyes’ six kills and .500 hitting efficiency, the Jayhawks committed just four errors at the net for a .407 attack percentage and held A&M to a .125 hitting mark.
The Jayhawks reeled off 18 unanswered points to overwhelm the Bulldogs in Game Two. KU’s offense was unstoppable, going errorless in 23 attempts (17 kills) for a .739 attack percentage. Martincich and Linsey Morningstar shook up the A&M defense with their strong serving, while the Jayhawks held the Bulldogs to just four kills (20 attempts) and a -.200 clip.
KU used a 16-0 run to take a steep lead in Game Three, 23-5. Despite a lineup shuffle, the Jayhawk offense held up late in the final game to take the match from the young Bulldog squad, 30-14.
KU wraps up the invitational Saturday with matches against Miami (FL) at 11 a.m. and host Alabama at 7 p.m.
-KU-
