Jayhawks to host Kansas Invitational

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Jayhawks are set to open the Kansas Invitational Thursday Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. against Morehead State in the Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena. Kansas welcomes MSU, Arizona and Syracuse for the four-day, six-match tournament.

KU recently competed in the UCF Challenge and beat Albany in its first match of the tournament, extending its set-winning streak to eight-consecutive sets. After beating the Great Danes, the Jayhawks dropped matches to South Carolina and UCF and finished the week with a 2-2 record.

Zoe Hill continued a strong start to her senior campaign and led the Jayhawks with 28 kills through the three-day tournament. Fellow senior Ashley Smith tallied 24 kills, while freshman Rachel Hickman tallied 22 kills.

Fans can watch the Kansas matches on ESPN+//Big 12 Now or listen on the Jayhawk Radio Network with Nick Springer calling the action.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

Date September 12-15
Opponents Morehead State, Arizona, Syracuse
Location Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena
Watch ESPN+ // Big 12 NOW
Listen Jayhawk Radio Network

TEAM IMPACT KANSAS SIGNEE

Kansas welcomed the addition of a new Jayhawk Wednesday, Sept. 11, signing Shea Carnahan through Team Impact. Carnahan has previously had medical problems from a young age that resulted in potentially more health issues as she grows older and was matched with Kansas volleyball through Team Impact.

NEW ARENA UNVEILING

The 2019 season will feature a new arena for the Jayhawks after previously playing in the Horejsi Family Athletics Center from 1999-2018. The new home site for Kansas volleyball will feature seating for 2,265 fans in the 30,000-square-foot arena. KU is set to play its first match in the arena September 12 against Morehead State.

ABOUT MOREHEAD STATE

  • Morehead State enters the Kansas Invitational 5-1 with five-consecutive victories, including a sweep of the field of the Eagle Challenge Sept. 6-7
  • Olivia Lohmeier is the team leader in kills (98) and was named the OVC Offensive Player of the Week.

ABOUT ARIZONA

  • Arizona enters the Kansas Invitational 4-2 with victories over West Virginia and San Diego State in the SDSU/USD Invitational l Sept. 6-7.
  • The Wildcats are lead by Paige Whipple, who has a team-high 77 kills (3.50 kills per set) with Katile Smoot (66 kills) close behind. Julia Patterson is the team leader in assists (2-3) while Kamaile Hiapo has a team-best 78 digs.

ABOUT SYRACUSE

  • Syracuse enters the Kansas Invitational with an 0-2 record with losses over then-No. 17 Baylor (L, 0-3) and then-No. 11 Marquette (L, 0-3).
  • Polina Shemanova boasts a team-high 21 kills (3.50 kills per set), while Marina Markova (14) and Ella Saade (12) each have double-digit kills through the two matches.