Payne Named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Seemingly unfazed by her change from middle blocker in 2014 to right-side hitter in 2015, sophomore Kelsie Payne continued her nearly unstoppable start to the season over the weekend to earn Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors for the first time on Monday.

Payne led KU with 37 kills in three 3-set wins during the Kansas Invitational to earn All-Tournament honors. In KU’s three victories, she posted a combined .464 attack percentage, including a match with no attacking errors against UMKC (13k-0e-26a).

The Austin, Texas native leads the Big 12 in kills per set (4.1) and her.450 attack percentage ranks third-best in the league.

It is the first Big 12 weekly honor for Payne. Last season, the Jayhawks took home four Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors.

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Kansas visits Laramie, Wyoming, for Pistol Pete’s Showdown, hosted by the University of Wyoming, Sept. 11-12. The Jayhawks will face Northern Colorado, Wyoming, and Marquette over a two-day span at the event next weekend.