No. 8 Kansas Suffers First Conference Loss at Hands of No. 11 ASU

Wednesday, November 6

Tempe, Ariz.

8:00 PM

University of Kansas

20-2,11-1Big 12

#11 Arizona State

23-2,11-1Big 12

Kansas

Arizona St.

No. 8 Kansas Suffers First Conference Loss at Hands of No. 11 ASU

11/6/2024 10:58:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

TEMPE, Ariz. - No. 8 Kansas Volleyball dropped their first Big 12 matchup at the hands of the No. 11 Arizona State Sun Devils by a 3-1 final score on Wednesday night inside Mullett Arena. With the loss, the Jayhawks moved to 20-2, 11-1 on the season, while ASU improved to 23-2, 11-1.

Leading the way for Kansas was Ayah Elnady, who totaled 21 kills on the night. Rhian Swanson and London Davis both tallied seven kills in the matchup.

"We battled hard against a very quality and experienced team," said Kansas Head Coach Ray Bechard. "There were many positives, but we will need to execute better in the big moments late in games."

In a back-and-forth opening set, Kansas ended up falling to Arizona State in extra points by a final score of 26-24. Ayah Elnady led the Jayhawks in the first frame with five kills as Kansas' late comeback fell short.

Kansas would come back to even the match in the second stanza, fighting through more back-and-forth play to gradually pull away from the rolling Sun Devils. Down 10-7, ASU called an early timeout, looking rattled by Kansas' second wind. Things would tighten up just a bit, with a tie finally coming at 11-11, but KU stayed in control, unfazed by the various times late in the set that ASU would find a one- or two-point lead. Back-to-back kills by Onabanjo and Swanson to put the Jayhawks up 21-18 would trigger the home side's second timeout, but it was to no avail as Kansas cruised to a 25-20 victory.

The visiting Jayhawks then got themselves into a bit of a rut during the third set of the match, ultimately dropping the set 25-20. Arizona State grabbed the early lead, but Kansas would spark a late rally that just fell short, as they came back from a 12-19 deficit to get things as close as 17-21. ASU would see it through, however, regaining the match lead with their victory.

The fourth set saw more point-for-point action as Kansas and the Sun Devils countered with runs within the fourth frame. Kansas, down 21-24 would score three points in a row to force extra points, but Arizona State would get a late push to edge the Jayhawks 27-25.

Despite the loss, multiple Jayhawks put up big individual numbers, like Raegan Burns who posted 19 total digs to anchor the Kansas defense. Elnady recorded a third-consecutive double-double performance with her 21 kills and 16 digs. Caroline Bien and Camryn Turner posted 13 digs a piece.

Turner racked up 41 assists, three kills and a season-high six blocks. She was right behind counterpart Onabanjo on the block, who had seven total to lead the Jayhawks against the Sun Devils.

Kansas will stay out west and will take on Arizona in their next match, inside the McKale Center in Tucson. First serve is set for 7 p.m. CT and fans can follow along via StatBroadcast, as well as the Kansas Volleyball social media platforms for in-match updates.