No. 11 Kansas Ends Regular Season with 3-1 Victory at Iowa State

Friday, November 29

Ames, Iowa

5 PM

University of Kansas

24-4,15-3Big 12

Iowa State

10-18,4-13Big 12

Kansas

Iowa St.

No. 11 Kansas Ends Regular Season with 3-1 Victory at Iowa State

11/29/2024 7:47:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

AMES, Iowa - The No. 11 Kansas volleyball team defeated Iowa State in four sets on Friday night in Hilton Coliseum.

The Jayhawks wrapped up their regular season 24-4, with an 15-3 mark in Big 12 play.

"We were involved in numerous two point sets tonight and we demonstrated competitive confidence in those moments," said Kansas Head Coach Ray Bechard. "It was a great way to close out the regular season and we look forward to finding out our post-season opportunity on Sunday."

Iowa State got out to an early lead, and the Jayhawks were eventually able to close it up to 10-7, but after back-to-back Cyclone points to follow, Bechard used his first timeout. Still, ISU got up 14-8, but Toyosi Onabanjo really started to heat up midway through the set to keep Kansas afloat. She notched four early kills as well as added three digs and a block to her stat line through Kansas' first 10 points.

Despite Onabanjo's big effort, a seven point deficit at 18-11 came for the Jayhawks. Down 20-12, Bechard's second timeout came, and a Caroline Bien kill to follow would offer Kansas some relief. This triggered a 4-0 Jayhawk scoring run that was highlighted by a Bien ace, prompting ISU to use their first timeout of the match. This run extended to seven unanswered points by Kansas, and the score read 21-19 when Iowa State was able to finally sideout. That was short-lived, however, and Kansas tied things up at 21-21 off back-to-back Cyclone errors.
Kansas' first lead of the set came off a block assist from Onabanjo and Ayah Elnady, and at 22-21, ISU used their second timeout. Ties at 22's and 23's came, but back-to-back Iowa State points would carry the home team to a 25-23 victory.

Things were relatively tight in the first set, with four ties up through 7-7. The Cyclones got out a bit, though, and at 15-10, the media timeout relieved the Jayhawks. A 3-0 run by the visiting side would follow, but Iowa State answered with a 4-0 of their own and triggered a Kansas timeout. The Jayhawks attempted to claw their way back in, but got down in a 20-15 hole. Another Bien service run to get Kansas three-consecutive points came after, and ISU called timeout as their lead dwindled to two points.

Finally, the set would tie once again at 20-20, then 21-21 would follow. Two hard-fought Jayhawk points would get ISU to call another timeout, but things would remain close until Kansas was finally able to pull away with a 25-23 second set victory. London Davis surpassed double-digit kills, ending the set with 11 total to lead both sides.

Kansas appeared to ride their momentum in the third set, getting out to an early 6-3 lead. The Cyclones started cranking out aces, however, and were able to string together four total to get up to a quick five-point lead. Bien answered with an ace of her own once the Jayhawks finally were able to sideout, and KU began to finally close the gap. Raegan Burns added her second ace of the match at the right time, tying things at 15's, and an Elnady kill to follow got ISU to call time.

Burns remained at the service line until Kansas extended their lead to 18-15, then 20-16 came quickly after. Kansas fought their way to match point and Iowa State challenged, bringing things back down to 23-20, but the Jayhawks kept their foot on the gas with a 25-21 victory.

The Jayhawks looked calm and collected in the fourth, holding the Cyclones down despite their best efforts to come back multiple times. Kansas led 19-16, then 20-17, but back-to-back Iowa State came to make it 20-19 and trigger a KU timeout. A tie at 20's followed, then the Cyclones grabbed a narrow one point lead for Bechard's second timeout. Iowa State nabbed two more points, however, and at match point, an attack error from the Cyclones gave Kansas another chance. Things would go to extra points, and at 24-24, a Jayhawk attack error gave ISU the lead. Ties at 25's and 26's would follow, but a huge Onabanjo kill followed by a Bryn McGehe ace would give the Jayhawks the extra points victory in set four.

Up next, Kansas will await their postseason slate, which will be determined by the NCAA committee on Sunday night at 5pm. Fans can watch the Selection Show on ESPN.