Jayhawks Stumble in Loss to No. 14 Iowa State

LAWRENCE, Kan. – A solid defensive effort by No. 14 Iowa State prevented the Kansas volleyball team from finding its offensive rhythm as the Cyclones defeated KU 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-17) Saturday evening.

The loss is KU’s second-straight defeat by a ranked foe as it dropped to 9-7 overall and 2-5 in the Big 12. The Cyclones improved their overall mark to 14-3 and conference record to 6-2.

KU took six more swings on offense but held a 42-36 disadvantage in kills. The Iowa State defense created a problem for the KU front row as the Cyclones tallied 13.0 team blocks, the second-most by a KU opponent this season.

Despite ISU’s blocking power, KU had a solid defensive outing of its own digging up 50 balls. Junior libero Melissa Manda led the team with 16 digs. It marked the third time in the last four matches she has recorded 15-plus digs.

Seniors Melissa Grieb and Katie Martincich contributed nine more digs a piece.

In the first set, it became obvious that ISU”s blocking game would give KU trouble. ISU picked up 10 block assists and one solo to keep the Jayhawks behind as the Cyclones picked up a 25-18 win to start the match.

KU came out strong in the second set and kept a lead through the early part of the frame. The Cyclones knotted the score at 8-8 however and used a couple runs of three and four points to pull out of KU’s reach. The Jayhawks were hampered by errors as they hit a match-low .075 in the set.

In the third and final set, Kansas could not find its offensive momentum as it fell 25-17, while ISU hit a match-high .364 in the third set to close out the match.

Sophomore Allison Mayfield led KU with nine kills. Senior Paige Mazour added seven more on a team-best .368 attack percentage. Junior Karina Garlington also had seven kills.

The Jayhawks take on its third-straight ranked opponent Wednesday, Oct. 14 versus No. 2 Texas. Match time is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center.