No. 2 Texas Upends Kansas Volleyball
Oct. 14, 2009
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
A dominating offensive performance from No. 2 Texas proved to be too much for the Kansas volleyball team, as the Jayhawks were defeated 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-12) Saturday evening at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center.
In its third consecutive match versus a top 25 foe, the Jayhawks suffered their fourth-straight conference loss as they fell to 9-8 overall and 2-6 in the Big 12, while the Longhorns remain undefeated at 13-0 overall and 8-0 in league play.
Although the Jayhawks took seven more swings on offense, Texas held a 42-31 advantage in kills, including 18 from senior All-American Destinee Hooker. Kansas were hampered by unforced errors committing 21 errors in the match. The Longhorns also controlled the blocking game, with nine total, compared to just two for the Jayhawks.
Senior Brittany Williams and junior Karina Garlington led the attack for KU, as both players tallied nine kills. Williams’ nine tallies, which were a season best, came off a team-leading .467 attack percentage. Alison Mayfield added eight kills, while also picking up five digs throughout the match. Sophomore setter Nicole Tate had 28 assists, two kills and two service aces in her three sets.
The KU defense was faced with a difficult task, but senior defensive specialist Katie Martincich and junior libero Melissa Manda put forth a solid effort, recording nine and eight digs, respectively.
The Jayhawks came out strong against No. 2 Texas, as the first set featured seven ties and five lead changes before the Longhorns went on a 4-0 run, giving them a 16-11 advantage. KU recorded five more points, three of which came off the hand of Garlington, but limited errors from the Longhorns allowed them take the set 25-16.
KU took an early 3-0 lead in the second set and enjoyed three more two-point advantages at 5-3, 6-4 and 7-5. The Longhorns grabbed the next four points before a UT ball-handling error and kill from KU senior Paige Mazour knotted the score at 9-9. The Jayhawks were able to stay within three points for the remainder of the set, behind four kills from Williams and tight defense from Manda and Martincich. The Crimson and Blue recorded 12 kills and 28 digs in the second set, but Texas came away with a 25-22 decision.
KU struggled in the third set, quickly falling behind 6-1. The team was able to pull within three (11-8) after kills from Mayfield, Tate and Mazour, but Texas then rattled off seven-straight points to take an 18-9 lead, and eventually win the set 25-12.
The Jayhawks will be on the road for their next match, as they travel to Manhattan, Kan., to face the Wildcats on Oct. 17 at 1 p.m.
