No. 17 Kansas Sweeps FGCU for First Three-set Win of Season

Thursday, September 11

Vermillion, S.D.

4 p.m. CT

University of Kansas

4-4,0-0Big 12

Florida Gulf Coast

3-3,0-0ASUN

FGCU

Kansas

No. 17 Kansas Sweeps FGCU for First Three-set Win of Season

9/11/2025 5:54:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF) Season Stats

VERMILLION, S.D. – No. 17 Kansas earned its first sweep of the season with a 26-24, 25-16, 25-20 win over FGCU on Thursday night in Vermillion, S.D. The Jayhawks were led by Grace Nelson and Rhian Swanson, who each finished with double-digit kills — Nelson with a season-high 18 and Swanson with 11. Aurora Papac anchored the defense at the net with a team-best six blocks.

"I'm really pleased with how we controlled our first opponent today," said head coach Matt Ulmer. "Our offense found a great rhythm in the last two sets. Grace (Nelson) was on fire tonight, and I'm thrilled she had such a strong performance."

Kansas came out strong in the opening set against Florida Gulf Coast, using early kills from Nelson, Jovana Zelenovic and Swanson to grab momentum. A service ace by Molly McCarthy and back-to-back kills from Nelson and Cristin Cline helped the Jayhawks build a 10-5 lead, forcing an FGCU timeout. Kansas continued to apply pressure behind another ace from Nelson and kills from Swanson and Aisha Aiono, stretching the margin to 16-13.

FGCU battled back to tie the set at 18, but the Jayhawks answered with a Reese Ptacek kill and McCarthy's second ace to regain control. Nelson powered through late with another kill, and Zelenovic delivered a clutch swing to give Kansas a set point. An Eagles attack error sealed it, and the Jayhawks claimed the first set 26-24.

Kansas carried its momentum into the second set, racing out to a 4-0 lead behind a pair of kills from Zelenovic and a block from Nelson and Ptacek. After FGCU trimmed the deficit, Nelson and Swanson powered the Jayhawks back in front with back-to-back kills, while Ptacek added a point on a forced error. Kansas maintained control through the early stretch, building a 12-7 lead before the Eagles called a timeout.

Cline then sparked a decisive 7-0 service run, fueling the Jayhawks to a commanding 17-6 advantage. Nelson and Ptacek each added kills during the surge, while Papac notched a solo block. Kansas never looked back, closing the set with kills from Nelson, Ptacek and Swanson to secure a 25-16 win and take a 2-0 lead in the match.

In the third set, FGCU and Kansas traded the opening points before the Eagles edged ahead 4-3. The Jayhawks quickly responded with a 4-0 run to take a 7-4 lead. A Nelson ace and back-to-back kills pushed Kansas ahead 16-10, forcing an FGCU timeout. The Eagles cut it to 18-15, but Nelson and Zelenovic powered a late surge to extend the lead to 23-18. Kansas held steady down the stretch, keeping FGCU from mounting a late comeback. A final push, capped by a White serve, closed out the set 25-20 and secured the Jayhawks' first sweep of the season.

Up Next
Kansas will continue its Coyote Invitational run on Friday, taking on Green Bay at 4 p.m. CT.