Volleyball Sweeps NC State For First Victory Of 2008

RICHMOND, Va. – Sophomore Karina Garlington tallied a match-high 14 kills to tie a career best, along with a personal-high five service aces to help lead Kansas volleyball (1-1) to a 3-0 victory over NC State (0-3) here Saturday afternoon during the VCU Invitational. KU swept the Wolfpack by scores of 25-15, 25-13 and 25-15.

NC State’s 13 points in set two were the fewest points by a KU opponent since the Jayhawks limited Alabama A&M to just eight points on Aug. 25, 2006.

Kansas topped the Wolfpack in every offensive and defensive category during the match, including a 38-24 advantage in kills and a 12-2 advantage in service aces. Additionally, four Jayhawks finished with hitting percentages over .350. Junior Brittany Williams posted a .600 hitting efficiency committing just one error in 10 attempts and recording seven kills.

The teams stayed close at the beginning of set one, the lead never more than two by either team. With the score 13-12 in the Wolfpack’s favor, Garlington helped Kansas break away serving three-straight aces to jump start a 13-2 run by the Jayhawks as KU topped NC State 25-15 in set one.

Garlington, who recorded four of her five service aces in the opening set, went a perfect 5-for-5 in attacks committing no errors, while the team recorded a .455 hitting efficiency. Senior Natalie Uhart also added three aces of her own.

The Jayhawks took the win in set two in similar fashion. After opening the game with several lead changes, KU scored nine unanswered points behind the serving arm of junior Melissa Grieb. Kansas’ offense continued to shine hitting .348 as a team compared to a -.129 attack percentage by NC State, who was plagued by errors throughout the set. Three of KU’s last four points came from NC State miscues.

KU turned in another dominating performance in the third set to take the match. After taking a 5-4 advantage, the Jayhawks expanded their lead to 8-4 and never let the Wolfpack closer than three points for the remainder of the contest.

Kansas will host the Jayhawk Classic next weekend, Sept. 5-6, in its home opener. The Jayhawks will face Utah Valley and Oregon Friday at noon and 7 p.m., respectively. Saturday, KU and UCF will square off at 1 p.m.