KU Loses Tough Match to No. 16 Kansas State 3-2

Oct. 6, 2004

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Lawrence, Kan. – Despite a career-high 24 kills by senior Ashley Michaels, the Kansas volleyball team lost its fourth straight match, 3-2, to 16th-ranked Kansas State Wednesday night at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center. The Jayhawks fell to the Wildcats in their first five-game match of the season, 30-19, 23-30, 30-25, 22-30 and 15-12.

With the loss, KU dropped to 10-5 overall and 1-5 in the Big 12 Conference while K-State improved to 11-4 and 5-1 in league play. The Wildcats’ win was their 19th straight over the Jayhawks, dating back to Nov. 16, 1994.

Michaels led all players with 24 kills (on a .400 attack percentage), tying her career-high against Texas on Nov. 2, 2002, and added four block assists. Junior Josi Lima added 18 kills, nine digs and a career-best three block solos.

Sophomore Jana Correa, who appeared to be back at 100 percent, posted a season-best 17 kills and added four digs. Junior Paula Caten added 10 kills and five digs.

Junior Andi Rozum dished out a season- and match-high 69 assists and added eight digs. Senior libero Jill Dorsey led all defensive players with 24 digs while freshman Emily Brown had 14 in the loss.

KU prevailed in games two and four, hitting .289 and .386, respectively. The Jayhawks were able to overpower the Wildcats in the two games with aggressive hitting, blocking and serving.

After forcing a deciding game five, KU stayed within two points behind three key kills from Correa. K-State jumped ahead 10-7 after an ace, but the Jayhawks rattled off three straight to tie the match.

The Wildcats answered with three straight of their own and ended the game and match with two consecutive kills. K-State was led by Vali Hejjas, who had 19 kills in 46 attempts on the night.

“The team is disappointed, but was a great effort tonight,” KU head coach Ray Bechard said. “It was a big step forward for us tonight and we fought like crazy in a great volleyball match. Michaels played really well tonight. K-State got some big points tonight at the end and took advantage.”

The Jayhawks will next be in action at 8 p.m. Saturday as they take on Colorado in Boulder. -KU-