Jayhawk Volleyball Remains Unbeaten

Sept. 10, 2004

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The University of Kansas volleyball team swept Rhode Island and stunned No. 25 Wisconsin 3-1 Friday in day one of the Holiday Inn/Jayhawk Classic to improve its record to a perfect 6-0. The Jayhawks defeated the Rams 30-23, 30-24 and 30-21 in the afternoon before battling the Badgers in the nightcap, 30-21, 30-26, 29-31 and 30-22.

Junior middle blocker Josi Lima led KU with 20 kills (on a .429 attack percentage) and added 11 digs and seven block assists against Wisconsin (2-2, 0-0 Big Ten). Sophomore Jana Correa added 12 kills to go with four digs while three Jayhawks — freshman Emily Brown, senior Ashley Michaels and junior Paula Caten each posted 11 kills.

Senior libero Jill Dorsey led the defense with a match-high 24 digs while Brown added 15 digs of her own. Sophomore Jamie Mathewson added nine digs and junior Andi Rozum dished out a match-best 58 assists. Michaels also tallied seven block assists and KU’s lone block solo on the night.

As a team, KU outblocked the Badgers 15.0-7.0 and hit at a remarkable .320 clip. Wisconsin posted a .199 hitting percentage and had 15 service aces in the loss. KU also recorded 72 digs to the Badgers’ 52.

“Having good balance is a great sign for this team,” KU head coach Ray Bechard said. “We went up against a really great opponent and showed that we are a much more physical team that last season. In scheduling teams like Wisconsin, we have proved our strength.”

In the early match, Michaels led the way with 11 kills on a .400 attack percentage and six block assists against Rhode Island (2-4, 0-0 Atlantic 10). Seven Jayhawks recorded at least two kills as KU outblocked the Rams 11.5-8.0, holding them to just a .027 attack percentage.

Kansas will conclude the Holiday Inn/Jayhawk Classic with a match against Denver at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center.

Saturday Scores:

  • No. 25 Wisconsin 3, Denver 0
  • Kansas 3, Rhode Island 0
  • Denver 3, Rhode Island 1
  • Kansas 3, No. 25 Wisconsin 1

Sunday matches:

  • No. 25 Wisconsin vs. Rhode Island, noon
  • Kansas vs. Denver, 2 p.m.