Jayhawks defeat Shockers 3-2 in exhibition

WICHITA, Kan. – Kansas volleyball earned the 3-2 victory of Wichita State in Charles Koch Arena in the Jayhawk’s lone exhibition of the season.

After falling behind two sets to one, the Jayhawks rebounded by outscoring Wichita State 40-21 in the final two sets to take the 3-2 victory. The team was led by sophomore Rachel Langs who had a team-high 10 kills on the afternoon to go along with her 1.5 blocks. Senior Zoe Hill finished with nine kills and tied as the team-leader with two blocks.

Next up for the Jayhawks will be their first regular-season contest of the 2019 season against Kansas City on August 30. The game is set to take place in Kansas City, Missouri at 7 p.m.

Kansas was able to claw their way back from a five-point deficit to make it a back and forth finish. However, the Shockers scored the final three points to take the first set 25-23.

SET ONE NOTABLES

• Starters: Rachel Langs, Sara Nielsen, Zoe Hill, Kennedy Farris, Rachel Hickman and Ashley Smith
• Libero: Allie Nelson
• After being down 16-11 the Jayhawks went on a 5-0 run to tie the score at 16-16
• Kansas falls in the first set 25-23

After a review by head coach Ray Bechard overturned what would have been the set winning point for the Shockers, Kansas was able to rally off seven of the final nine points to take a 28-26 set win and tie the game at 1-1. Rachel Langs, Ashley Smith and Zoe Hill have each recorded five kills to lead the Jayhawks.

SET TWO NOTABLES

• Starters: Rachel Langs, Sara Nielsen, Ashley Smith, Kennedy Farris and Camryn Ennis
• Libero: Allie Nelson
• Kansas took an early 7-3 lead following a service ace by Lacey Angello
• Jayhawks rallied off three straight points to pull within one, 22-21
• Kansas won seven of the final nine points in the set
• The Jayhawks even the match up at 1-1 after taking the set 28-26

Kansas was unable to repeat their come from behind performance in the third set as they fell to Wichita State 25-11 to fall behind 2-1 in the match.

SET THREE NOTABLES

• Starters: Rachel Langs, Sara Nielsen, Zoe Hill, Kennedy Farris, Ashley Smith and Rachel Hickman
• Libero: Allie Nelson
• Freshman Morgan Christon entered the game for the first time in her career
• Jayhawks fall 25-11 in the set to go down 2-1 in the game

The Jayhawks were able to recover in the fourth set where they led by as many as 11 points to take the 25-15 set victory and tie the game at 2-2. Zoe Hill leads the team with nine kills on the day through four sets.

SET FOUR NOTABLES

• Starters: Rachel Langs, Sara Nielsen, Zoe Hill, Kennedy Farris, Ashley Smith and Rachel Hickman
• Libero: Allie Nelson
• Jayhawks jumped out to a 5-1 lead to begin the set
• Kansas led by as many as 11 points (23-12)
• Hickman led the Jayhawks with four kills in the set
• Jayhawks take set four 25-15 to tie the match at 2-2

Kansas closed the set taking 10 of the final 12 points to win the set 15-6 and take the 3-2 victory over Wichita State. Rachel Langs finished the match with a team-high 10 kills to go along with 1.5 blocks. Rachel Hickman led the way with three service aces on the day, which included two in the final set.

SET FIVE NOTABLES

• Starters: Rachel Langs, Sara Nielsen, Zoe Hill, Kennedy Farris, Ashley Smith and Rachel Hickman
• Libero: Allie Nelson
• Kansas took an 8-4 lead on back-to-back service aces by Hickman
• The Jayhawks used a 9-1 run to take a 14-5 lead
• Kansas wins the set 15-6 and takes the match 3-2

BECHARD COMMENTS