Jayhawks Stay Perfect, Top Arkansas in Four
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Sophomore Morgan Boub served a career-high six service aces as the University of Kansas volleyball team kept its undefeated streak alive with a 3-1 win versus Arkansas Friday evening. KU won by scores of 25-19, 22-25, 25-20 and 25-10 as it improved to 6-0 on the season, its best start since 2004.
Arkansas picked up its first loss of the year as it dropped to 5-1 overall, including 1-1 during this weekend’s Jayhawk Classic.
“Our response in games three and four was really good,” said head coach Ray Bechard. “We got a lot of good production out of our middles and Boub was outstanding from the service line. We showed a lot of consistency tonight, which I thought was really good.”
As a team, Kansas collected a season-high 12 service aces. It marked the second time this season KU has recorded 11 or more aces in a contest. The Jayhawks had 11 earlier this year versus Lipscomb on Aug. 27.
Redshirt freshman Caroline Jarmoc helped KU take the first set with six kills on a .712 attack percentage. Jarmoc finished the match with a team-high and personal-best 12 kills. She committed just two attack errors all night for a .588 attack percentage.
In the second frame, KU used a seven-point run to take an 18-13 lead over the Razorbacks. Included in that run were four aces from Boub. Despite the effort, Arkansas battled back eventually tying the set at 21 before scoring four of the next five points to win the set.
Neither team was very efficient on offense during the third set, but KU’s early 7-3 lead held over the duration of the frame as KU hung on to win 25-20.
Kansas saved its best effort for last hitting a scorching .571 attack percentage in the fourth and final frame. The Jayhawks collected 12 kills and no hitting errors, while taking advantage of seven offensive miscues by the Razorbacks. KU also benefited from an 8-1 run midway through the set to pull away from Arkansas.
Junior outside hitter Allison Mayfield struggled on offense during the match but made up for it on the defensive side of the ball as she led the team with 11 digs. She also added nine kills, a solo block and an ace in the win. Freshman setter Kara Wehrs followed close behind with 10 digs to go along with her 33 assists. The backcourt also found help from sophomore Tayler Tolefree, who collected a team-high five blocks.
Kansas will conclude the Jayhawk Classic with a 1 p.m. match versus Chattanooga on Saturday afternoon (tomorrow). Fans who bring a KU vs. North Dakota State football ticket can gain admission to the match for just $3.
