Completed Event: Women's Soccer at Oklahoma State on September 18, 2025 , Win , 1, to, 0
Final
Women's Soccer
1
at Oklahoma State
0
Friday, August 29
Madison, Wis.
6 p.m. CT
University of Kansas
at
Wisconsin
No. 14 Kansas Volleyball Prepares for Opening Spike Classic Road Tests
8/28/2025 12:29:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
LAWRENCE, Kan. – No. 14 Kansas volleyball continues its early nonconference slate this weekend at the Opening Spike Classic in Madison, Wisconsin, where the Jayhawks will take on two top-15 opponents. Kansas opens against No. 8 Wisconsin on Friday at 6 p.m. (Central) before closing the weekend against No. 12 Creighton on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Both matches will be streamed on the Big Ten Network.
The Jayhawks enter the weekend at 1-1 following a pair of five-set battles at the AVCA Tournament. On August 23, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Kansas outlasted Vanderbilt in five sets to open the season. Two days later in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, KU nearly upset defending national champion and second-ranked Penn State, falling 15-12 in the decisive frame.
"We learned a lot about ourselves this past weekend, and we're hoping to continue building better habits against elite competition," said head coach Matt Ulmer. "These kinds of matches challenge us to stay disciplined, push our limits, and find consistency. If we can keep growing from these experiences, it will pay off down the stretch."
Through the first two matches, Kansas has received balanced production across the lineup. Outside hitter Reese Ptacek has averaged 2.40 kills per set on a .278 hitting percentage, while adding 1.50 blocks per set. Pins Selena Leban and Rhian Swanson carried the offense in the near-upset of Penn State, with Leban finishing the weekend averaging 2.86 kills per set on a .385 clip and Swanson posting 3.60 kills per set while hitting .333. Jovana Zelenovic has contributed 2.10 kills and 1.60 blocks per set, giving Kansas consistency at the net. Defensively, libero Ryan White has anchored the back row with 3.30 digs per set. At setter, both Cristin Cline and Katie Dalton have earned starts, Cline averaging 7.80 assists per set and Dalton 5.40 to keep the Jayhawks' offense balanced.
Friday's showdown with Wisconsin gives Kansas another chance to prove its mettle against a top-tier program. Ranked No. 8 in the latest AVCA poll, the Badgers have been a consistent force in the Big Ten and a frequent NCAA Final Four presence. The Jayhawks enter the matchup with momentum and history on their side, having won every meeting with Wisconsin to date—starting with a 3-1 victory in Lawrence in 2004 and most recently a 3-2 win in Madison in 2013. Riding a perfect head-to-head record, Kansas will look to extend the streak in its matchup on Friday.
On Sunday, Kansas will close the weekend against No. 12 Creighton in a matchup of nationally ranked programs. The Jayhawks hold a 9-4 advantage in the all-time series and will look to build on that success in their first neutral-site meeting with the Bluejays. Creighton, which returns three starters from last year's 32-3 squad that advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight, enters the season as the BIG EAST favorite under new head coach Brian Rosen. The Bluejays opened 2025 with a straight-set loss to Penn State.
Fans can follow the action on X/Twitter @KUVolleyball, track live stats here, or watch live on Big Ten Network
The Jayhawks enter the weekend at 1-1 following a pair of five-set battles at the AVCA Tournament. On August 23, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Kansas outlasted Vanderbilt in five sets to open the season. Two days later in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, KU nearly upset defending national champion and second-ranked Penn State, falling 15-12 in the decisive frame.
"We learned a lot about ourselves this past weekend, and we're hoping to continue building better habits against elite competition," said head coach Matt Ulmer. "These kinds of matches challenge us to stay disciplined, push our limits, and find consistency. If we can keep growing from these experiences, it will pay off down the stretch."
Through the first two matches, Kansas has received balanced production across the lineup. Outside hitter Reese Ptacek has averaged 2.40 kills per set on a .278 hitting percentage, while adding 1.50 blocks per set. Pins Selena Leban and Rhian Swanson carried the offense in the near-upset of Penn State, with Leban finishing the weekend averaging 2.86 kills per set on a .385 clip and Swanson posting 3.60 kills per set while hitting .333. Jovana Zelenovic has contributed 2.10 kills and 1.60 blocks per set, giving Kansas consistency at the net. Defensively, libero Ryan White has anchored the back row with 3.30 digs per set. At setter, both Cristin Cline and Katie Dalton have earned starts, Cline averaging 7.80 assists per set and Dalton 5.40 to keep the Jayhawks' offense balanced.
Friday's showdown with Wisconsin gives Kansas another chance to prove its mettle against a top-tier program. Ranked No. 8 in the latest AVCA poll, the Badgers have been a consistent force in the Big Ten and a frequent NCAA Final Four presence. The Jayhawks enter the matchup with momentum and history on their side, having won every meeting with Wisconsin to date—starting with a 3-1 victory in Lawrence in 2004 and most recently a 3-2 win in Madison in 2013. Riding a perfect head-to-head record, Kansas will look to extend the streak in its matchup on Friday.
On Sunday, Kansas will close the weekend against No. 12 Creighton in a matchup of nationally ranked programs. The Jayhawks hold a 9-4 advantage in the all-time series and will look to build on that success in their first neutral-site meeting with the Bluejays. Creighton, which returns three starters from last year's 32-3 squad that advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight, enters the season as the BIG EAST favorite under new head coach Brian Rosen. The Bluejays opened 2025 with a straight-set loss to Penn State.
Fans can follow the action on X/Twitter @KUVolleyball, track live stats here, or watch live on Big Ten Network
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
S/Pin
/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
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