Jayhawks Defeat Kansas State 3-0 to Sweep Volleyball Series
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Sophomore Allison Mayfield and junior Karina Garlington combined for 29 of Kansas’ 48 kills to help the Jayhawk volleyball team defeat in-state rival Kansas State in three sets (25-19, 25-19, 25-23) in front of a sellout crowd Wednesday evening.
The sellout is KU’s second of the season as Kansas improved to 6-9 in Big 12 play and 14-11 overall. Kansas State snapped a two-match winning streak as it dropped to 10-15 on the season and 4-11 in the conference.
The win gave Kansas its most victories since 2005 as the team tallied its first series sweep over K-State since 1993. It also marks the first time in history Kansas did not allow Kansas State to win a single set in the series.
Mayfield led all players with 16 kills during the contest, while Garlington chipped in 13 on a .345 attack percentage.
A balanced Jayhawk defense out-dug the opponents 49-36 led by senior Melissa Grieb’s 10 digs. Senior Katie Martincich followed with nine digs and Mayfield finished with eight. Senior Paige Mazour helped limit the K-State offense collecting five total blocks in the contest.
In the first set, the Jayhawks and Wildcats traded points until Kansas went on a 5-0 run to take a 10-4 lead. After securing a 20-13 lead, the Wildcats went on a 6-1 run to pull within three. The Jayhawks won the next three points off a pair of blocks and a KSU attack error to come out on top with a score of 25-19.
Kansas State was hampered by errors in the first frame hitting a match-low .100 attack percentage.
Senior Brittany Williams led the Jayhawks in the second set with five kills and finished the night with nine. The Jayhawks never fell behind, but the Wildcats tied the score four times and never trailed by more than four. At 22-19, KU forced two hitting errors and closed the set out with a kill from sophomore Lauren Hagan.
Tate began set three with two consecutive aces and Mayfield tallied a kill to give the Jayhawks some early momentum. Kansas State crept back slowly and tied the score at 11-11. The teams traded points, never pulling ahead by more than two. With the help of a raucous crowd, the Jayhawks were able to pull out a 25-23 third set victory following a Wildcat service error.
Kansas State struggled from the service line collecting four serving errors in the third set and eight total for the match.
Kansas will be back in action when it hosts No. 21 Baylor Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Horejsi Family Athletic Center. Match time is set for 11 a.m.
