Completed Event: Women's Volleyball versus Kansas State on October 24, 2025 , Loss , 2, to, 3
Final
Women's Volleyball
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vs Kansas State
3
Kansas’ Ptacek Named to AVCA Player of the Year Watch List
10/3/2025 10:29:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas sophomore middle blocker Reese Ptacek has been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division I Player of the Year Watch List, the organization announced Friday. Ptacek is one of 17 midseason additions to the list, which now includes 47 players representing 31 schools nationwide.
"Reese is doing an excellent job on both sides of the ball. Teams are release-blocking to her and she's still finding ways to score," said Head Coach Matt Ulmer. "She is becoming more of a leader every day. I'm excited for her to earn this recognition."
Ptacek has emerged as one of the Big 12's most dominant front-line players, ranking among the nation's leaders in blocking while providing consistent offensive production for the No. 18 Jayhawks. She currently leads Kansas with 72 total blocks on the season, anchoring a defense that ranks No.2 nationally in total blocks (171.5) and has helped her team hold opponents to a .267 hitting percentage.
Offensively, Ptacek has elevated her game in her second year in Lawrence. The Wisconsin native is hitting .312 on the season with 162 kills through 17 matches, averaging 2.42 kills per set. She posted a season-high 17 kills against South Florida on Sept. 21 and added eight blocks in Kansas' sweep of Arizona on Sept. 28.
Her addition to the Watch List marks another step in her rapid development after a standout freshman campaign in 2024, when she tallied 127 kills and 88 blocks, earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors, and was a unanimous selection to the All-Big 12 All-Rookie Team. Ptacek is already on track to surpass her totals from last season in both categories, helping Kansas to a 10-7 overall record and a 1-2 start in Big 12 play.
The AVCA Player of the Year process includes a preseason list, a midseason update, semifinalists in November, finalists in December, and the announcement of the award winner at the AVCA Awards Banquet on Dec. 19 in Kansas City.
"Reese is doing an excellent job on both sides of the ball. Teams are release-blocking to her and she's still finding ways to score," said Head Coach Matt Ulmer. "She is becoming more of a leader every day. I'm excited for her to earn this recognition."
Ptacek has emerged as one of the Big 12's most dominant front-line players, ranking among the nation's leaders in blocking while providing consistent offensive production for the No. 18 Jayhawks. She currently leads Kansas with 72 total blocks on the season, anchoring a defense that ranks No.2 nationally in total blocks (171.5) and has helped her team hold opponents to a .267 hitting percentage.
Offensively, Ptacek has elevated her game in her second year in Lawrence. The Wisconsin native is hitting .312 on the season with 162 kills through 17 matches, averaging 2.42 kills per set. She posted a season-high 17 kills against South Florida on Sept. 21 and added eight blocks in Kansas' sweep of Arizona on Sept. 28.
Her addition to the Watch List marks another step in her rapid development after a standout freshman campaign in 2024, when she tallied 127 kills and 88 blocks, earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors, and was a unanimous selection to the All-Big 12 All-Rookie Team. Ptacek is already on track to surpass her totals from last season in both categories, helping Kansas to a 10-7 overall record and a 1-2 start in Big 12 play.
The AVCA Player of the Year process includes a preseason list, a midseason update, semifinalists in November, finalists in December, and the announcement of the award winner at the AVCA Awards Banquet on Dec. 19 in Kansas City.
Players Mentioned
MB
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