KU Totals 22 Blocks In 3-1 Loss to Cyclones
Oct. 19, 2005
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Despite a school-record 22.0 team blocks and 16 kills from senior middle blocker Josi Lima, Kansas dropped a four-game match to visiting Iowa State Wednesday night at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center. With the loss (23-30, 27-30, 30-22, 25-30), the Jayhawks dipped to 12-7 overall and 4-6 in Big 12 Conference play.
KU totaled 11 solo blocks, tying the school record (vs. Colorado on Nov. 15, 1991) for a four-game match. The Jayhawks’ 22.0 total stuffs were the most since blocking records have been kept at KU.
“The stat sheet looks pretty promising, but the final results were disappointing,” KU head coach Ray Bechard said. “Iowa State is by far the most improved team in the league and maybe in the country. I thought they played with confidence here and should be congratulated.”
Lima hit at a .361 clip and added 11 digs and 3.5 blocks in the effort. Senior Paula Caten added 13 kills and tied a match-high with 14 digs and three aces. Junior Megan Hill set a new career-best with nine kills and 4.5 blocks (two solo) and freshman Savannah Noyes contributed eight kills and career-high 6.0 blocks (three solo).
Senior Andi Rozum ran the offense with 46 assists and junior Jamie Mathewson was once again solid defensively with 14 digs. The Jayhawks hit just .156 at the net and committed 12 service errors, including six in game four.
“It seems like we shot ourselves in the foot in game four,” Bechard added. “People are going to remember game four, but really in game two we had a good opportunity that we let get away. The six serve errors in game four really kept us from building any momentum.”
After hitting under .089 in the first two games, KU came out of the break and held a comfortable lead in game three. The Cyclones (13-8, 6-4 Big 12) stalled on offense, posting 11 kills and 11 errors for a .000 hitting efficiency as the Jayhawks forced a fourth game.
The Jayhawks could not overcome a three-point run by ISU late in the fourth game, but battled back to hold off four Cyclone match points. KU hit .257 in the final game, its best of the match, but made too many service and hitting errors too late.
ISU was led by Katie Jessen’s 16 kills and libero Katie Churm led the Cyclones defensively with 14 digs. ISU totaled 14.0 blocks and hit .142 in the match.
To hear Coach Bechard’s postgame message, call 785-864-7023.
The Jayhawks will look to stop their four-match skid Saturday night at Baylor (11-10, 3-7 Big 12). First serve is set for 7 p.m. in Waco.
