Jayhawk Volleyball Loses In Four In Border Showdown

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Despite a season-high 14 kills from senior Brittany Williams and a double-double from sophomore Nicole Tate, the University of Kansas volleyball team dropped a four-set decision to rival Missouri Saturday night. The Jayhawks won the first set 25-22 but lost 25-21, 25-17 and 26-24 in the final three sets.

With the loss, KU dropped to 11-9 overall and 4-7 in the Big 12. Missouri improved to 13-9 on the season and 5-6 in the league.

The Tigers were led by Paola Ampudia, who recorded a program-best 35 kills. The 35 tallies were also a Big 12 Conference four-set record.

The outlook was promising for the Jayhawks in the fourth set, as KU held a 22-16 lead. However, Missouri came back with five-straight points to come within one point of the Jayhawks’ lead. The teams traded points before MU closed the frame with four unanswered points to seal the victory, 26-24.

Junior Karina Garlington led Kansas with 15 kills on the night, while hitting at a .481 attack percentage. Williams’ collected her 14 kills on a .458 clip.

The KU back court was held down by junior libero Melissa Manda, who scooped up 19 digs. She was joined in double figures by Tate. Tate recorded 10 digs and 51 assists en route to her eighth double-double this year. Williams also aided the KU defense notching five total blocks. Sophomore Lauren Hagan added three.

In the first set, the Jayhawks took over the lead at 11-10 and never trailed for the remainder of the frame. Williams scored five kills in the opening set on a red-hot .833 attack percentage. Senior Paige Mazour also had five of her six kills on the night in the first set behind a .444 hitting efficiency.

The Jayhawks fell behind, 16-11, in the second set following a 7-1 run by the Tigers. Down the stretch, Kansas took over the momentum scoring six of the final nine point and stalled match-point three times, but the push was too late as MU recorded a 25-21 win.

In the third set, KU fell behind early and never could find the offensive answer it needed as the Jayhawks lost 25-17 on a match-low .065 hitting percentage, while MU recorded a match-high .324 clip.

The Jayhawks continue their three-match homestand on Tuesday, Oct. 27 when they host UMKC at 6:30 p.m. The match is the “Jayhawks For a Cure” contest. Donations will be accepted at the door with all donations going to benefit Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the KU Cancer Center. Fans are encouraged to wear pink.