C4
WHAT TO WATCH
KANSAN.COM
File Photo/KANSAN
Kansas volleyball celebrates during the NCAA tournament.
Volleyball ranks in preseason polls for first time
Missy Minear/KANSAN
Missy Minear/KANSAN Junior libero Cassie Wait celebrates during a game against Kansas State. The Jayhawks defeated the Wildcats in four sets.
▶ EMMA GREEN
@emmalee_green
Coming off an appearance in the NCAA Championship semifinals, the Kansas volleyball team appeared on the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll for the first time, ranking fifth out of 25 teams.
Topping the poll is reigning national champion Nebraska, followed by Big 12 rival Texas, then Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The Big 12 Preseason Coaches' Poll ranked Kansas second — with one first place vote — in the conference behind Texas, who appeared in the National Championship against Nebraska.
The Big 12 foes will face off twice in the regular season, with the first match being held at Texas on Sept. 24 and the second being held at Kansas on Oct.29.
Texas was ranked higher
in both polls, but Kansas junior right side hitter Kelsie Payne was named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year after her record-breaking sophomore season.
In 2015, Payne broke the Kansas record for most kills in a season (496) and was named to the AVCA All-America First Team, All-Big 12 First Team, and NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team.
"It's insane and I am honored," Payne said in a
KU Athletics release. "With everything that we accomplished, I have to thank my teammates for any individual accolades I receive. I couldn't do it without my setter, libero, hitters and everyone who took part in helping me get where I am."
Kansas will host the Crimson and Blue Scrimmage at Horejsi Family Athletics Center on Aug. 20 at 1 p.m. to begin their season.
Kansas' Kelsie Payne receives bronze medal and life lessons while in Dominican Republic
▶ JOSH MCQUADE @LOneWollMcQuade
After a phenomenal season with the Kansas volleyball team in 2015, junior right side hitter Kelsi Payne received numerous honors; she was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and was an AVCA First-Team All-American. These honors showcased Payne's talent and potential.
However, possibly her highest honor was her selection in June as a representative for the United States at the Pan-American Cup on the 12-woman volleyball roster. Now she's a bronze medalist.
"It was an awesome feeling to be selected," Payne said after returning from the Pan-American Cup.
Her Kansas teammate, Cassie Wait, was invited to compete for a roster spot and trained with the team until they traveled to the Dominican Republic on July 2. Although Payne and Wait were not able to experience the adventure together, they shared an extra week of practice together.
The team practiced for just a week before traveling for the Cup, one which Payne used to not only better herself as an athlete, but to create and strengthen
bonds with other top volleyball players across the country.
On the court, the only loss handed to the United States was dealt by Puerto Rico in the playoffs. However, Payne and her 11 other newly-introduced teammates were able to earn the bronze medal after defeating Cuba in the third-place match, which was Payne's favorite moment from the whole experience.
My mentality has gotten tougher and my ability to be coached became stronger."
Kelsie Payne Junior right side hitter
The host country of the Pan-American Cup was much different than the areas Payne normally plays in. Santo Domingo is often seen as the beautiful capital of the Dominican Republic, which is true for some areas, but in others it's less fortunate and more impoverished than Lawrence.
Although the team spent most of their time on the court, they were able to explore the city and see some
of those areas.
"I had never been to an area like the Dominican Republic besides staying in resorts," Payne said. "Some houses were only one room, but housed 10 people."
Seeing how people live in a much different part of the world made Payne reflect on where she's been and what she may change in the future.
"I am definitely going to be more appreciative of what I have in my life," Payne said. "I don't want to lose sight on what's really important."
Being able to represent her country is one experience Payne will remember for the rest of her life, but what she brought home with her may be better than the entire trip itself.
"My mentality has gotten tougher and my ability to be coached became stronger," Payne said.
Payne will be able to take her newfound abilities and bring her Jayhawks to heights they've never reached before. First though, they will take it one step at a time, just as they did last season.
- Edited by Brendan Dzwierzynski
Right side hitter Kelsie Payne attacks during a game at Horejsi Family Athletics Center.
File Photo/KANSAN
↑