KU, No. 5 Texas to battle in showdown of top-two Big 12 teams

LAWRENCE, Kan. – After victories over Texas Tech and West Virginia, Kansas (15-7, 8-3 Big 12) turns its attention to No. 5 Texas (16-4, 11-1 Big 12) in a showdown of the top-two teams in the Big 12 conference Saturday, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. in Gregory Gymnasium. 

In the last matchup between KU and Texas, Kansas earned the 3-1 victory over the Longhorns behind a 22-kill performance by junior outside hitter Jada Burse. The win over Texas was the first for the Jayhawks since 2016 and the third victory over a top-five team in program history.

Fans can watch the game live on Longhorn Network or tune into the audio broadcast on the Jayhawk Radio Network via KUAthletics.com/Radio with Jackson Schneider calling the action.

Where: Austin, Texas
When: November 10, 2018
Arena: Gregory Gymnasium (4,000)
Time: 1 p.m. (CT)
Television: Longhorn Network | Stream | Livestats

QUICK HITS
• Kansas enters Saturday’s match with a 15-7 overall record and a 8-3 mark in Big 12 play, earning a 3-1 victory in its last outing against Texas Tech (Nov. 3).
• Texas enters with a 16-4 record and is first in the Big 12 standings with a 11-1 mark in conference play.
• Saturday’s match will mark the 49th contest between KU and Texas.
• Kansas defeated then-No. 4 Texas Oct. 10, 2018, 3-1. The victory over the Longhorns was the first for the Jayhawks since 2016.
• The Jayhawks set a new three-set match record posting 16.5 blocks against the Red Raiders on Oct. 13, 2018.
• KU earned a nine-match win streak that spanned more than a month from Sept. 14 – Oct. 16.
• Kansas ranks first in the Big 12 Conference in blocks per set, averaging 2.95 (4th nationally), while also holding down the top mark in the conference with 262.5 total.
• Out of 22 matches played, Kansas has logged double-digit blocks in all but six, which was comprised of a 10-match streak.
• The .177 hitting percentage Kansas has held its opponents to is also tops the conference, with the next closest being Oklahoma at .185.
• Kansas earned its first three-set conference sweep since Oct. 21, 2017, when it defeated Texas Tech, 3-0, Saturday (Oct. 13).
• That sweep also marked the first sweep in a true road contest since Oct. 18, 2017, when the Jayhawks took three-straight at then-No. 23 Baylor.
• KU defeated its second-straight top-25 opponent of the season when it downed No. 4 Texas (Oct. 10) (3-1). Previously, the Jayhawks defeated then-No. 24 Baylor (Oct. 6) in four sets, 3-1.
• The Jayhawks’ 6-0 start to conference play marked the second time since 2015 that Kansas started league play 6-0. KU began 2015 Big 12 play 7-0.
• The win over Texas Tech (Nov. 3) earned KU its 15th win of the season, which marks the 10th-consecutive season with at least 15 victories.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
• KU’s Ashley Smith recorded the highest hitting percentage (.533) by an individual against the Longhorns (Oct. 10) with a minimum of 15 kills.
• Jada Burse tallied the second-most kills (22) allowed by the Longhorns this season.
• The Jayhawks had four-consecutive Big 12 weekly honors spanning Sept. 24-Oct. 15 – Zoe Hill twice and Rachel Langs twice.
Langs holds the top spot in the Big 12 in blocks per set (1.44) with a total of 98 on the season. 
• Also appearing on the Big 12’s top 10 list is Hill, who averages 1.26 blocks per set for sixth and is tied for third with 108 total blocks. 
Hill’s 11-block performance against West Virginia (Oct. 3) was just the second time in her career she reached double figures in blocks with her last coming on Oct. 25, 2017 against Oklahoma (10.0).
• Junior outside hitter Jada Burse leads Kansas with 335.5 total points and 3.49 kills per set, which rank eight and sixth, respectively, in the Big 12.
• Freshman Camryn Ennis has started 17 matches, averaging team highs in assists per set (6.03) and aces per set (0.23). The San Antonio native has reached 10 assist-dig double-doubles in her 19 matches played as a Jayhawk.
• Junior Allie Nelson leads KU in digs per set (3.63) which is good for sixth in the Big 12. 
• Freshman Lacey Angello holds down the second-best average for digs per set with 2.53, while Ennis is close behind with 2.38.
• Junior outside hitter Patricia Montero underwent season-ending surgery to mend an injury incurred on Aug. 31 against Dayton. Montero, a six-rotation player, led the Jayhawks in kills per set (3.62) and points per set (4.04) at the time of her injury. 
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