Jayhawks Fall In Four At Kansas State

Nov. 1, 2008

MANHATTAN, Kan. –

Box Score

Despite a balanced defense that included two players in double figure digs, Kansas volleyball fell to Kansas State in the annual Sunflower Showdown. The 3-1 loss (25-17, 25-17, 23-25, 25-14) drops KU to 10-12 on the season and 4-9 in conference play. KSU improves to 20-4 overall and 10-3 in the Big 12.

Sophomore Melissa Manda paced the Jayhawks’ backrow digging up 12 balls, while juniors Melissa Grieb and Katie Martincich contributed 10 and nine, respectively.

On offense, junior Brittany Williams fired a team-high nine kills in the contest. Senior Savannah Noyes followed with eight.

The Jayhawks hit a respectable .217 in the opening stanza paced by senior Natalie Uhart, who recorded an .800 clip (4K-0E-5TA), but Kansas State’s .500 attack percentage was more than KU could overcome.

Finding themselves down 11-6 in set one, the Jayhawks used a timeout to regroup and proceeded to go on a 6-2 run to come within one of the Wildcats at 13-12. But KSU responded with a run of their own tallying four straight points. Five points later, Kansas State strung together five more consecutive points en route to its 25-17 victory.

In set two, both teams’ offenses struggled but Kansas State used a 6-1 run to open the set and take an early lead, which they held for the remainder of the set as they won 25-17.

No stranger to a 2-0 deficit, Kansas bounced back in set three with a 25-23 win, its ninth time this season down two sets to none only to come back and win the third set.

KU excelled behind a match-high .324 attack percentage to build a healthy lead over the Wildcats. KSU, who trailed by as much as seven on several occasions, threatened KU’s lead down the home stretch. As Kansas led 17-12, the Wildcats went on 5-1 run to come within one point at 18-17. The teams continued to trade points while KU hung onto the upper hand. Finally, after two straight KSU points and the score 24-23 in Kansas’ favor, Kansas State committed a service error to give KU set point.

The Wildcats struggled from the service line recording four errors during the set and 11 total for the match. The Jayhawks on the other hand, recorded a season-low two service errors during the contest.

In the fourth and final set Kansas State’s blocking shut down the KU offense as the Wildcats notched a 25-14 win to seal the victory.

The Jayhawks return home to face Colorado on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center.