Volleyball Concludes Nonconference Schedule at Cowgirl Classic

Sept. 10, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Game Notes Get Acrobat Reader

Kansas volleyball (4-2) wraps up its nonconference season this weekend, Sept. 12-13, when it travels to Laramie, Wyo., for the Cowgirl Classic. The Jayhawks face host Wyoming (0-6) Friday at 11 a.m. to open the tournament and will go up against Cleveland State (1-5) and UAB (3-2) later in the weekend.

Quick Hits

» UAB is the second Conference USA opponent faced by the Jayhawks this year. KU defeated C-USA member UCF, 3-1, on Sept. 6.

» The University of Wyoming, located in Laramie at 7,220 feet, has the highest elevation of any Division I school in the country.

» Freshman Nicole Tate became the first Jayhawk to tally a double-double this season finishing with 42 assists and 12 digs againt UMKC on Sept. 9.

» Kansas recorded a .542 hitting percentage in set on versus the Kangaroos, its highest attack percentage in a set this season.

» Sophomore Karina Garlington is second in the Big 12 Conference averaging 3.81 kps and third with 0.56 service aces per set.

» Sophomore libero Melissa Manda eclipsed the 500 mark in career digs in the team’s win over UCF on Sept. 6 as her 14 digs pushed her up to 502.

» Junior Savannah Noyes is just three solo blocks shy of cracking the KU career record list.

About the Opponents

Currently 0-6 on the season, Wyoming, who returns eight letterwinners and two starters, is hitting a .123 team attack percentage, while opponents also hold a 9.7-7.8 kps advantage. Sophomore Dani Bedore, a Goodland, Kan., native, is tops on the Cowgirl offense averaging 2.45 kps. Senior Carissa Lee is digging up 2.86 dps and sophomore Chantilly Watson is contributing 0.92 bps, though she has not played in the team’s last three matches. Carrie Yerty is in her first season as head coach of the Cowgirls.

Cleveland State (1-5) returns all five of its starters from a year ago and has 10 returning letterwinners on its roster. Junior Beth Greulich paces the team with 2.45 kps along with a .331 attack percentage. Senior Jordan Bateman steadies the defense with 3.30 dps. Sophomore Amy Benz has a team-high 23 total blocks, including 18 assisted, to average 1.00 bps. Cleveland State is coached by Chuck Voss who is 132-111 in his ninth season with the program.

After dropping its first two matches of the season, UAB has since won three straight to improve to 3-2 overall. The Blazers are led by Ivana Bozic who is averaging 3.33 kps and 3.56 dps. Also averaging over three digs per set is Aleksandra Vujovic with 3.24. Lilly Domingos blocks 1.13 balls per set. They return five starters and ten letterwinners. Head coach Kerry Messersmith returns five starters from a year ago and is 54-22 in her third season at UAB.

Serving Up Success

Sophomore Karina Garlington is ranked 49th in the country with 0.56 service aces per set through matches played on Sept. 7. As a team, the Jayhawks rank 39th with 1.88 aces per set.

Career Performances

For the second time this season, sophomore Karina Garlington has set a new career best in kills tallying 18 against UMKC on Sept. 9.

Fresman Allison Mayfield also had a career night against the Kangaroos finishing with 12 kills.

Game Tickets

Fans can purchase season and single-game tickets to KU home matches by phone at 800-34-HAWKS, online at KUAthletics.com or at the doors of the Horejsi Center prior to match time.

Up Next

Kansas will open its 2008 Big 12 Conference season Wednesday, Sept. 17, when it travels to Colorado. Match time with the Buffs is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CDT. The Jayhawks then return home to host Iowa State on Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.

Upcoming Promotions

In KU’s contest with Iowa State on Sept. 20, fans with a KU vs. Sam Houston football ticket can get into the volleyball match for just $3. In addition, kids wearing their volleyball uniforms can get into the match for free, while admission for parents is $3. The marketing department will be handing out free t-shirts prior to the match while supplies last. Kansas volleyball players will also be around after the game to sign autographs.