No. 18 Kansas Sweeps Arizona for Ulmer’s First Home Win

Sunday, September 28

Lawrence, Kan.

12 p.m. CT

University of Kansas

10-6,1-1Big 12

Arizona

7-5,1-1Big 12

Arizona

Kansas

No. 18 Kansas Sweeps Arizona for Ulmer’s First Home Win

9/28/2025 2:20:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Season Stats 9.28 Photo Gallery

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Jovana Zelenovic and Grace Nelson combined for 23 kills to lead No. 18 Kansas to a straight-set victory over Arizona on Sunday afternoon. The win is the first home win for KU coach Matt Ulmer at Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena.

Zelenovic led the Jayhawks with 13 kills and five blocks, while Nelson added 10 kills, eight digs, and a career-high-tying four service aces in the win. Selena Leban and Reese Ptacek added four kills apiece, while Ptacek matched her season high with eight blocks. The Jayhawks hit .216 for the match with 37 kills and had advantages of 9-to-4 in blocks and 47-to-37 in digs.

Kansas won by set scores of 25-15, 25-22, 25-19 and improved to 10-6 (1-1 Big 12) on the year. Arizona falls to 7-4 (0-2 Big 12) for the season.

"I'm really proud of our group. We're still finding ways to score more consistently, but today we showed how tough we can be defensively and from the service line," said Head Coach Matt Ulmer. "That takes grit, and I thought our team embraced the game plan and executed it well. To get our first Big 12 win, and to do it here at home in front of this crowd, makes it even more special. Our fans brought so much energy, they make this place a party, and that's the biggest home-court advantage we can ask for."

Kansas and Arizona traded early points before Nelson gave the Jayhawks momentum with back-to-back service aces to spark a 4-0 run. Zelenovic and Nelson each added kills, while Reese Ptacek and Ellie Schneider combined for a block to keep KU in front. Nelson continued to shine with another ace and a kill, stretching the lead to 14-9 and forcing Arizona's first timeout. Out of the break, Katie Dalton and Zelenovic tallied another pair of kills, and Ryan White capped the run with a service ace to make it 18-10, Kansas. The Jayhawks controlled the rest of the set, allowing Arizona only five more points before closing it out 25-15, while holding the Wildcats to a -.043 hitting percentage.

Arizona jumped out quickly with a 5-1 lead before Zelenovic and Nelson provided kills to settle Kansas in. The Jayhawks strung together points on strong swings from Zelenovic and Schneider, pulling within 7-6, but the Wildcats answered with back-to-back aces to push ahead 10-6. KU stayed composed, with Aurora Papac and Schneider combining for a block and Nelson adding another kill to cut the deficit to 14-10. Despite the push, Arizona maintained momentum and held a 16-11 advantage midway through the set. From there, the Jayhawks caught fire, using a 7-1 scoring run to erase the deficit and even the set at 17-17 against the Wildcats. After battling back to tie it at 17, the Jayhawks kept their foot on the gas. Zelenovic and Nelson powered the offense down the stretch, with Nelson delivering back-to-back kills to put Kansas in front 22-21. Zelenovic added another swing to push KU to set point, and the duo sealed it with consecutive kills as the Jayhawks closed out the frame 25-22 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Kansas carried its momentum into the third set, using kills from Zelenovic and Grace to stay out in front. Ptacek's service ace helped spark an early run, while the Jayhawk block continued to frustrate Arizona's hitters. As the frame tightened late, Schneider and Zelenovic came up clutch, pushing KU ahead 18-17 and keeping the Wildcats on their heels. From there, the Jayhawks closed strong behind kills from Zelenovic, Nelson, and Leban, capped by a Zelenovic finish to seal the set 25-19 and complete the sweep.

Up Next
Kansas is now set for its first road swing of the conference season. The Jayhawks travel to Texas, where they will face TCU on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 6:30 p.m. CT in Fort Worth, before continuing on to Waco to face Baylor on Friday, Oct. 3.