KU Volleyball Stays Undefeated in Arkansas Tournament

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Anchored by freshman Tayler Tolefree’s 10 kills and .409 attack percentage along with junior libero Melissa Manda’s 13 digs, the Kansas volleyball team improved to 6-2 on the season with a 3-0 sweep (25-15, 25-12, 25-16) versus Jacksonville State (6-4) Saturday afternoon during the Arkansas Tournament.

The Jayhawks, who are 2-0 in the tournament, conclude the weekend tourny later tonight when they go up against Arkansas at 7 p.m. Live stats and video are available at www.KUAthletics.com.

Junior Karina Garlington and sophomore Allison Mayfield contributed nine kills each in the win. Senior Paige Mazour finished with a .375 hitting percentage and four kills, while the Kansas defense held the Gamecocks to just .085 hitting in the match.

After losing the first three points of the first set, Kansas jumped into the lead on an 8-1 run, including four kills from Tolefree. KU capped the opening frame with eight consecutive unanswered points as it coasted to a 25-15 win. A balanced KU back row saw four players with four or more digs to limit Jacksonville State to just eight kills in the set.

The Jayhawks opened the second set with seven straight tallies and used a 7-1 run midway through the frame to keep a comfortable lead throughout the set. Garlington tallied six of the team’s 14 kills in the 25-12 win swinging at a .545 attack percentage. Senior Melissa Grieb and Mazour also added two service aces a piece during the set.

In the third set, the Jayhawks found themselves down for the first time since early in the first set. Trailing 8-7, the Gamecocks committed three unforced errors to put KU back in charge. JSU stayed close but continued to trail the rest of the set. Kansas put the match away with a 5-1 run at the end, including two kills from sophomore Nicole Tate.