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.
