Kansas Sweeps UMKC to Stay Undefeated

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Senior Karina Garlington led the way with a team-high 10 kills as Kansas volleyball stayed undefeated following its 3-0 sweep of UMKC Tuesday evening in the Jayhawks’ home opener. Kansas improved to 4-0 on the season for the first time since 2005 as the Jayhawks won by scores of 25-20, 25-10 and 25-16.

“Everybody that was available to play played”, said head coach Ray Bechard. “I thought a lot of people did a great job, but it’s a great start.”

KU started the match off strong by grabbing a quick 7-1 lead before UMKC (1-3) came back, getting as close as two points during the set at 18-16. That was as close as the Roos would get however as they tallied three of their five service errors in the set down the stretch. Redshirt freshman Caroline Jarmoc’s four kills (4K-0E-4TA) helped KU pull away.

Jarmoc tallied seven kills during the match on a team-high .429 attack percentage. She also led the team with five blocks during the contest.

The second set was by far KU’s most dominant, leading by as much as 15 as it took a commanding 2-0 advantage heading into the break. Besides taking an early 1-0 lead, UMKC was overmatched committing 12 attack errors and only getting as close as 5 points the rest of the way. Both Garlington and junior Allison Mayfield, who finished with nine kills on the night, led the team with four kills in the second frame as KU looked to close out the Roos in three-straight sets.

After falling behind 2-1 early on in the third set the Jayhawks stormed back and never relinquished the lead again, thanks to four more kills by Garlington and three by Mayfield. Freshman Amy Wehrs also made her collegiate debut in the third and final set, taking the floor with her sister and fellow freshman Kara Wehrs. Amy would achieve the first kill of her Jayhawk career shortly after checking into the contest. KU wrapped up the final set 25-16.

The Jayhawks will look to stay undefeated against Akron and Arkansas on Friday, Sept. 3 during the Jayhawk Classic hosted by KU.