THE UNIVERSITY BABY KANSAN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2006
VOLLEYBALL
3B
Kansas sweeps K-State
BY DREW DAVISON
Brittany Williams' English class had to fill the Atiana freshman in on the Kansas-Kansas State rivalry before Wednesday's volleyball match.
The middle blocker's play against the Wildcats made it seem like she knew more about the intrastate rivals as she led Kansas to its first ever victory against Kansas State in the sold-out Horejsi Family Athletics Center. Williams finished with a career-high and team-high 19 kills.
The Jayhawks defeated the Wildcats in a four-game match, 26-30, 30-26, 30-28 and 30-20. It was the first time Kansas has defeated Kansas State in Lawrence since 1994.
In game one, Kansas State came out swinging and put Kansas into a corner. The Jayhawks never led, as the Wildcats got off to a strong start. Kansas State won the first game by four.
"It was kind of like two boxers feeling themselves out in the first game," Kansas coach Ray Beard said. "We didn't counter punch very well."
The Jayhawks first lead of the match didn't come until game two when they led 17-16. Kansas won the game on a block by senior outside hitter Megan Hill.
Bechard said instant points, like blocks and aces, are something his team had been working on in the past couple of weeks.
The Jayhawks squeaked by the Wildcats in game three, winning by two. Correa led the team with four kills, including the game-winning kill just inside the baseline.
The Jayhawks finished the match with an 8-3 run in game four. Kansas hit a match-best .326, committing just three errors.
With the victory, the Jayhawks snapped a five-game losing streak,
while holding the Wildcats winless in conference play.
"This is where we turn our season around," Emily Brown, junior right-side hitter, said. "Being at home and wanting to keep K-State winless, it all came together."
Amanda Sellers/KANSAM
Kansan sportswriter Drew Davison can be contacted at ddavison@kansan.com.
- Edited by Catherine Odson
Brittany Williams, freshman middle blocker, hits the ball toward Kansas State middle blocker Kelsey Chipman during Wednesday's game in the Horiensis Family Athletics Center. Williams had 19 kills and helped the Jayhawks defeat the Wildcats.
Amanda Sellers/KANSAN
To send the Bears back to Waco, Texas, the Jayhaws ended the match with two kills from Correa. She had a .351 hitting efficiency, committing only three errors in the match.
"Baylor is a good team having their struggles right now," Bechard said. "The Jayhawks are starting to move in a different direction and that was the difference tonight."
"We knew if we won this game, we're right back in the hunt for the NCAAs," junior opposite hitter Emily Brown said. "We were ready to turn the season around."
Kansas has a week off until it travels to Texas A&M (9-8, 2-7) on Saturday. Bechard has had success against the Aggies in Lawrence, however, he has never won at College Station in his nine years at Kansas.
After beating K-State Wednesday and Baylor Saturday, Bechard is looking forward to the extended break preparing for A&M.
earlier in the day, Brown said the team wanted to make it a good weekend to be a Jayhawk.
Brown finished with 13 kills and a team-high 12 digs.
"It is easier to get their attention and get them motivated," he said, "because they are feeling good about how things are going right now."
The women's volleyball team celebrate after an ace point was scored against Kansas State on Wednesday night at Horejsi Family Athletic Center. The Jayhawks defeated the Wildcats in four games.
A frightening moment marred the Jayhawks' game-two victory. Jana Correa, senior outside hitter, dove for a ball and hit her head on the bench.
Kansan sportswriter Drew Davison can be contacted at ddavison@ kansan.com.
"I wasn't looking at the chair, I was just trying to get the ball," she said. "It hurts a lot."
Correa continued to compete after the crash without sitting out. She led the team with a match-high 16 kills.
The volleyball players resurrected their postseason hopes with a sweep against Baylor Saturday night in the Horejsi Family Athletics Center.
Kansas (10-9, 3-7 Big 12) swept Baylor (13-8, 2-7) with scores of 30-23, 30-27 and 30-24. It was the first time the Jayhaws swept a conference team this season.
With a victory against in-state rival Kansas State Wednesday, Kansas won its first back-to-back games since early September.
"We had a lot of confidence coming out after K-State," senior outside hitter Megan Hill said. "Everyone is playing together, and everyone is excited. We move up three spots from that one win, so it was huge for us."
Edited by Kate Shipley
The Jayhaws moved from dead last in the Big 12 standings at 11th (Oklahoma State doesn't have a program) up to eighth place — ahead of Texas A&M, K-State and Baylor.
Kansas never trailed in game one against Baylor, winning by seven. The Jayhawks had four serving aces, including two from freshman libero Melissa Grieb to win the game. It was the first time in ten matches that the Jayhawks won their first game. Kansas coach Ray Bechard said winning game one was important for his team because it makes it tough for the opponent to bounce back, especially on the road.
BY DREW DAVISON
Kansas ninth in Big 12 rankings
After the football team collapsed
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