Kansas to Host Jayhawk Invitational in Volleyball Home Opener
Sept. 2, 2009
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Jayhawk Invitational Game Notes 
In its first home appearance of the regular season, the University of Kansas volleyball team will play host to Lipscomb, Florida International and Creighton this weekend, Sept. 4-5, for the Jayhawk Invitational in the Horejsi Family Athletics Center. KU will match up with Lipscomb Friday at noon followed by FIU at 7 p.m. that evening, and then close out the tournament versus Creighton at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Live stats will be available for all matches at www.KUAthletics.com. Additionally, live streaming for KU’s matches will be available for a fee.
Quick Hits
» Kansas is 88-58 overall in the Horejsi Family Athletics Center and 39-6 in non-conference action. Additionally, KU is 24-6 overall during the Jayhawk Invite at the Horejsi Center.
» KU has not lost a home opener since 1993. Since 1977, when KU records first indicate home/away sites, the Jayhawks are 20-12 in home openers.
» KU went 6-3 in non-conference action last season. The Jayhawks are 92-17 (.844) all-time in regular season non-conference matches under head coach Ray Bechard.
About Kansas
The Jayhawks opened their season at the Middle Tennessee State Invitational last weekend where they finished 2-1. KU lost to MTSU, an NCAA Tournament team from 2008, in its opening game but rebounded with wins against Xavier and Murray State to close out the tournament. Through the first three matches, junior Karina Garlington paces the team with 2.91 kps. Senior Paige Mazour, who is contributing 2.55 kps along with sophomore Allison Mayfield, is fifth in the Big 12 with a .393 attack percentage. She is also tops on the team with 0.82 bps. Helping out on defense is junior libero Melissa Manda, who is averaging 3.27 dps.
Last Week
Kansas volleyball had a successful opening weekend going 2-1 at the MTSU Invitational. Despite losing its first match to host Middle Tennessee State, which is receiving votes in the AVCA poll, the Jayhawks bounced back with a 3-1 win versus Xavier and a 3-0 sweep of Murray State.
All-Tourney Team
Junior Karina Garlington and sophomore Allison Mayfield were both named to the MTSU All-Tournament Team last weekend for pacing KU with 2.91 kps and 2.55 kps, respectively.
Hagan Makes Most of Starting Nod
In her first career start and just the sixth appearance of her career, sophomore Lauren Hagan led KU with a .500 attack percentage versus Murray State on Sept. 5. Hagan finished with a career-high seven kills on 10 swings with only two errors in the contest.
Up Next
The Jayhawks will have one final tune-up next weekend before Big 12 Conference season begins. Kansas will travel to Fayetteville, Ark., for the Arkansas Tournament, Sept. 11-12. KU will face North Texas Friday evening and then match up against Jacksonville State and host Arkansas the following day. Big 12 play begins on Sept. 16 for the Jayhawks at rival Missouri.
