Kansas State Stuns No. 14 Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse

Friday, October 24

Lawrence, Kan.

8 p.m. CT

University of Kansas

Kansas State

Kansas State Stuns No. 14 Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse

10/24/2025 11:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

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LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas State came from behind to win the last two sets and defeat No. 14 Kansas, 3-2, on Friday night in front of 7,550 fans at Allen Fieldhouse.

The two teams split the first two sets, with Kansas winning the first 25-14 before KSU answered with a 25-17 win in the second set. The Jayhawks again went on top with a 25-18 set win in the third and led 15-9 in the fourth before Kansas State slowly cut into their deficit. The Wildcats took the lead at 22-21 and pulled ahead 25-23 to win the fourth and tie the match, then carried the momentum into the fifth, winning 15-8 to take the match.

Kansas saw its five-game winning streak snapped as the Jayhawks fell to 15-8 (6-3 Big 12) on the year. Kansas State improved to 11-6 (4-5 Big 12) this season.

Jovana Zelenovic led the Jayhawks with 16 kills and five blocks, while Rhian Swanson added 11 kills. Katie Dalton had a double-double with 36 assists and 17 digs, and Ryan White led KU with 20 digs. Grace Nelson and Reese Ptacek had eight kills apiece and Aurora Papac recorded a team-leading seven blocks.

"We didn't execute the way we needed to tonight, and Kansas State capitalized. We'll take this as an opportunity to learn and improve. I'm so thankful for Jayhawk Nation, they were unbelievable tonight and stood behind us every point."

In the first set, Kansas came out strong with an early 3–0 scoring run highlighted by a White service ace to build a 4–1 lead. Kansas State cut the deficit to two at 7–5, but the Jayhawks responded with a surge, extending their lead to 11–7 after a Papac kill. KU then strung together four straight points, including blocks by Papac and Jovana Zelenovic, to push the margin to 15–7 and force a KSU timeout. The Jayhawks continued to roll out of the break, going on another 3–0 run highlighted by a Nelson kill and her ensuing service ace. During the stretch, Papac and Zelenovic teamed up for key blocks to keep momentum squarely on KU's side. Kansas earned a set point on a Zelenovic kill and sealed the frame on a Wildcat attack error to take the first set 25–14.

Kansas State opened the second set with early energy, trading points with Kansas before the Jayhawks took a slim 4-2 lead. The Wildcats were able to respond with a short run to tie it at 4-4, but kills from Nelson and Ptacek helped KU edge back in front at 6-4. Midway through the set, Kansas State found some rhythm to grab a 12-10 lead, which forced a Kansas timeout. Out of the break, KU was able to trim the deficit to 17-12, and Kansas State was able to work its lead to 24-13, but the Jayhawks continued to fight and opened up a 4-0 scoring run to cut the lead back to 24-14. However, the Wildcats were able to seal the set after an attack error and take the set 25-17, tying the match 1-1.

Kansas jumped out in front early in the third at 4-2, with kills from Ptacek, Swanson, and Zelenovic. The Jayhawks saw strong serving from Logan Bell, who added an ace to extend the lead to 6-2. Kansas State was able to respond with back-to-back kills to close within one, but Kansas stayed composed by pushing in front at 9-7, after a clutch kill from Ptacek. Kansas State was able to even the score at 10-10, but Kansas continued to find answers. Nelson and Swanson each connected on clean kills and pushed the score to 14-11, heading into a media timeout. KU's front line of Papac and Zelenovic widened the gap to 17-13. Another Zelenovic kill and a Rya white ace pushed the lead 20-15, forcing another Kansas State timeout. Kansas powered ahead 22-15, and despite Kansas State adding three more points, Kansas won the set off a Swanson kill at 25-18.

The Jayhawks opened the fourth set with a 2-0 lead before both teams traded points early. Kansas continued to stay in control by going on a 3-0 capped by a Zelenovic kill, giving Kansas an 8-6 edge. KU then went on a short run to take a 12-7 lead with a service error by KSU. Kansas State scored a couple points to cut into the lead at 14-16, until Zelenovic and Nelson picked up kills to make the lead 20-17. The Wildcats took control after that, as they jumped out to a 24-22 lead. Kansas got a point via a service ace, but couldn't find another point as the Wildcats took the fourth set 25-23.

In the decisive fifth set, both teams continued to trade each point, as Kansas took a 3-2 lead off a kill from Dalton. The Wildcats responded with a run of their own, scoring five-straight points to take an 8-4 lead. KU answered with three-straight points to cut into the lead at 8-7, with a block by Zelenovic and Papac. Kansas State went on another five-point scoring run to take a 13-7 lead before Kansas got a kill from Bell to stop the run. The Wildcats then scored two points to close out the set and took the match by a score of 3-2.