Kansas defeats TCU, 3-1, to open Big 12 play
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Junior outside hitter Jada Burse recorded a career-high 23 kills to lead the Kansas volleyball team to a Big 12 Conference-opening victory over TCU on Saturday afternoon at Horejsi Family Athletics Center, 3-1 (28-30, 27-25, 25-21, 25-23).
The Jayhawks (8-4, 1-0 Big 12) extend their winning streak to four matches after capturing a Big 12-opening victory for the fourth-consecutive season.
Burse recorded her 23rd and final kill on match point to continue her offensive hot streak of reaching double-figure kills for the ninth time in the last ten matches. Junior outside hitter Ashley Smith added 13 kills, while middle blockers Rachel Langs and Zoe Hill contributed eight kills each. Freshman setter Camryn Ennis matched her season-high 39 assists.
The Jayhawks held the Horned Frogs to a .113 hitting efficiency with 16.0 team blocks, led by Hill’s nine block-assists and seven from senior Gabby Simpson. Junior libero Allie Nelson anchored the back row with 23 digs.
TCU, lead by èlan McCall’s 19 kills, falls to 9-4 on the season and 1-1 in Big 12 Conference play after a straight set victory against Oklahoma last Wednesday.
Kansas leads the all-time series with TCU, 12-2, including seven-straight victories. The teams will meet again on Nov. 17 in Fort Worth.
QUOTES
Kansas head coach Bechard
Opening statement…
On recovering from a first-set loss to win the match …
“That’s how this league is going to be. There are going to be games that go to extra points — we have to get used to playing in those moments. During nonconference play, we played some five-setters that were pretty tight. You could sense there was a different feel for today’s conference opener. I think it’s imperative that if we get an opportunity to play at home, we need to take full advantage of it.”
On defensive adjustment after first set…
“We had better awareness, our team adapted to the speed of the game. TCU played fast, but our defense adjusted good. We had 16 blocks and at times it wasn’t all that pretty but there was a lot of grit out there on both sides.”
NOTABLES
- For the second time this week, KU’s 16.0 team blocks are tied for the fifth-most in a four-set match during the rally-scoring era in KU history. In two four-set matches this week, Kansas totaled 32.0 team blocks with 16.0 against TCU on Saturday and 16.0 against Drake on Tuesday.
- Jada Burse reached a career high in kills for the second-straight match, recording 18 against Drake on Tuesday and 23 today against TCU. Burse’s 62 attack attempts are the third-most in a four-set match in KU history during the rally-scoring era (2001-present). Her 23 kills are tied for the third most in a four-set match in KU history during the rally-scoring era (2001-present).
- Camryn Ennis tied her career high of 39 assists.
- Zoe Hill recorded a career-high nine block-assists.
- Rachel Langs posted season highs eight kills and five digs, while recording an ace for the third time this season.
- Allie Nelson tied her career high of seven assists, which she also reach against San Jose State (Sept. 15, 2017).
- Ashley Smith reached a season-high four total blocks for the third time this season.
UP NEXT
KU will play its Big 12 road opener on national television as ESPNU will carry the Jayhawks’ contest at Oklahoma on Wednesday, Sept. 26 starting at 8 p.m.
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