Kansas defeats UMKC in exhibition, 3-1
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas volleyball opened the 2018 season with a four-set exhibition victory over UMKC on Saturday afternoon in front of a sold-out crowd inside Horejsi Family Athletics Center.
The Jayhawks were led by impressive performances from junior outside hitters Patricia Montero and Ashley Smith, who combined for 37 kills on a .394 hitting clip. Sophomore Annika Carlson set the pace for the offense during her first-career start as KU’s setter, guiding the Jayhawks to a .250 team hitting percentage.
After Kansas won the opening set, 28-26, UMKC countered with another narrow two-point margin to take the second set.
Freshman defensive specialist Audri Suter registered the play of the day, capping off a 4-0 run with an ace on set point to clinch KU’s third-set victory, 26-24. Kansas clinched the exhibition contest victory with a 25-19 triumph in the fourth set.
KU’s front-line defense combined for 11 blocks, while Jayhawk defensive specialists held a 59-to-51 advantage in digs over UMKC.
All 13 players, including four freshmen, on KU’s active roster checked in the game on Saturday.
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UP NEXT
The Jayhawks begin the 2018 regular season with a two-match series against Arkansas starting on Friday, Aug. 24 in Fayetteville, followed by KU’s home opener against the Razorbacks on Sunday, Aug. 26 in Lawrence.
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