Volleyball Opens Conference Season at Colorado

Sept. 15, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Game Notes

In its fourth-straight road match, Kansas volleyball (6-3) opens its Big 12 Conference season at Colorado (6-3) on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Live stats will be available on the Buffaloes’ athletics website, www.cubuffs.com. Live video will also be available with a subscription.

Quick Hits

» Wednesday will mark the first time in six years that Kansas has not opened its Big 12 Conference season against a Top 25 team. Since the inception of the Big 12 in 1996, KU has opened its conference schedule with a ranked opponent nine times.

» Kansas is 4-8 in Big 12 season openers.

» Sophomore Karina Garlington is 31st in the nation, second in the Big 12 Conference and one of just three conference players averaging over four kills per set with 4.06 kps. She is also sixth in the Big 12 with 0.41 service aces per set.

» Garlington picked up her first double-double of the season and third of her career off 23 kills and 12 digs at Wyoming on Sept. 12.

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

» Freshman setter Nicole Tate’s 64 assists against Wyoming on Sept. 12 were the most by a Jayhawk since Katie Martincich tallied 68 on Oct. 28, 2006. They were also the most by a Big 12 player so far this season.

» Kansas set team single-match season highs against Wyoming with 78 kills and 74 assists.

Series History

Colorado leads the all-time series with Kansas 33-11, including an 18-3 advantage in Boulder. The Jayhawks won both meetings in 2007 breaking a three-match losing streak. Nine of KU’s 11 victories over CU have come under coach Ray Bechard.

Garlington Seeing 20/20

On Sept. 12, Kansas sophomore Karina Garlington tallied a career-high 23 kills against Wyoming. It marked the most kills by a KU player since Savannah Noyes had 23 on Oct. 28, 2006. The 6-0 outside hitter followed with a 21-kill outing against Cleveland State to became the first Jayhawk to tally back-to-back 20-kill performances since Emily Brown (Sept. 7 & 9, 2006).

Mazour Earns Way Into Starting Lineup

Junior middle blocker Paige Mazour earned the first start of her career against Cleveland State on Sept. 12. The 6-1 Franklin, Neb., native finished with a career-best six kills, while adding five block assists, one match after blocking a career-high six balls versus Wyoming. Mazour then earned another start in the team’s next match with UAB where she had three kills and a block. For the weekend, Mazour led the team with 1.20 bps.

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 return home for the first time in four matches on Sept. 20 when it hosts Iowa State in the Jayhawks’ conference home opener. Live stats will be available at www.kuathletics.com. Live video is also available with a subscription.

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.