Jayhawks Sweep Iowa State

Oct. 27, 2004

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Lawrence, Kan. – Outside hitters Jana Correa and Paula Caten notched double-digit kills as the Kansas volleyball team swept Iowa State Wednesday night 30-18, 30-24 and 30-28, in the Horejsi Family Athletics Center. With the win, the Jayhawks improved to 13-7 overall and 4-7 in the Big 12 Conference.

With the loss, Iowa State fell to 8-13 and 1-11 in league play. KU has won its last 11 matches against the Cyclones, dating back to 2000.

In game one, KU overwhelmed the Cyclones with solid defense and strong hitting. The `Hawks took 19-8 lead and won convincingly, 30-18. Caten paced KU with seven kills in the game.

Game two was tied six times before KU could pull ahead, 23-20, after two straight ISU hitting errors. The Jayhawks went on a 5-1 run and ended the match on a thundering Correa kill, 30-24.

Game three started out sloppy for KU. After increasing its lead to seven, KU forced an ISU timeout, but let the Cyclones back to within two, 29-27. The Cyclones came up with a big block but Ashley Michaels held on for the final kill to put away the game and match, 30-28.

Caten led the Jayhawks with 13 kills and added seven digs and four block assists. Correa, in her fifth straight double-digit offensive performance, added 12 kills on a .478 hitting percentage (1 error, 23 attempts). Michaels added eight kills and a match-high six block assists in the win.

KU also saw six or more kills from Emily Brown (six), Andi Rozum (six) and Josi Lima (seven). Rozum also dished a match-high 36 assists and added 10 digs for KU. Senior libero Jill Dorsey led all defensive player with 15 digs.

“We had really good streaks today and picked up our blocking in the last two games,” KU head coach Ray Bechard said. “We also brought our hitting efficiency up to Big 12 standards and held them [Iowa State] down pretty well. Our goal in Big 12 play is to hit .250 each game and hold our opponents to under .100 — and we were pleased with the effort tonight.”

“We also have two All-Big 12 middles in Lima and Michaels who opponents try to crowd around, giving more openings for our outsides,” Bechard added. “Jana, Paula and Emily have had some things open up at the net and we are pleased with their play.”

KU hit .246 on the night (52 kills, 19 errors, 134 attempts) and outblocked the Cyclones 10.0 to 6.0.

The Jayhawks will next be in action Saturday against in-state rival No. 18 Kansas State (13-7, 7-4 Big 12). Match time is set for 1:30 p.m. at the Ahearn Fieldhouse in Manhattan.