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Despite winning their first 3 matches of the season, Kansas Volleyball fell one spot in the rankings coming into this weekend’s tournament in Orem, Utah. The Jayhawks didn’t let that phase them, as they swept the Utah Valley Wolverines to improve to 4-0 on the season. As usual, tonight’s recap comes to you with the much appreciated contributions of the KU Volleyball twitter feed (@KUVolleyball)
Pre-match
Last time #KUvball played Utah Valley, these six seniors made their debuts as Jayhawks pic.twitter.com/8lnKJMzyVz
— Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) September 1, 2017
Starters at Utah Valley:
— Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) September 1, 2017
S Ainise
RS Kelsie
OH Madison
OH Ashley
MB Taylor
MB Zoe
L Allie #KUvball
Ashley Smith is making her first start of the season and second of her career tonight #KUvball pic.twitter.com/tWRKg7QG7S
— Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) September 1, 2017
First Set:
The Jayhawks jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead on the back of two strong kills by Kelsie Payne, but Utah Valley fought back, trading blows as neither team was able to get much separation. The largest KU lead was 12-8, but the Wolverines fought back to tie it at 13. The set stayed close through this play:
Madison Rigdon ACE!!! #KUvball
— Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) September 1, 2017
S1 | 17-16
Even though the Wolverines tied the set immediately after, the Jayhawks were sparked an quickly reeled off 4 straight points to take a commanding lead.
Led by six kills from Madison Rigdon, #KUvball is hitting .448 as a team
— Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) September 1, 2017
S1 | 22-18
In all, Kansas ended the set on an 8-3 run, taking the first set.
Kansas wins the first set over Utah Valley, 25-20 #KUvball pic.twitter.com/GLMUO2dITp
— Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) September 1, 2017
Second Set:
The second set looked like it was going to be similar to the first, as Utah Valley scored the first point and was able to pace KU out to a 3-3 tie. But the Jayhawks quickly took over, as 5 kills from Kelsie Payne helped push them out to a large lead.
Kelsie Payne has 10 kills (.714) to move into 10th-place on #KUvball's all-time kills list #PayneTrain
— Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) September 1, 2017
S2 | 16-9
Payne continued to dominate on offense, contributing 3 more kills and a service ace to push the Jayhawks to a second set victory.
Kelsie Payne's 13th kill of the night gives #KUvball a 25-19 second-set victory!
— Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) September 1, 2017
Third Set:
It looked like the third set might be the one that Kansas came out slow and never recovered, as Utah Valley jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and seemed to match any run the Jayhawks tried to make. Looking closer though, this run was fueled by 8 attacking errors (5 of them blocks) on the part of the Jayhawks. Without actually watching the match, I can’t tell if this was poor attacking on the offense or just spectacular defensive positioning by the defense, but the defense by Ainise Havili saved the set, keeping the Jayhawks within striking distance.
Ainise Havili has her 4th-straight double-double with 31 assists and 12 digs
— Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) September 1, 2017
S3 | 14-14
Kansas finally eliminated the errors, and they quickly put a run together to take control of the set.
#KUvball goes on a 5-1 run to force a Utah Valley timeout
— Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) September 1, 2017
S3 | 19-15
It looked like it would be smooth sailing, but Utah Valley put together a 6-3 run to get back within 22-21.
#KUvball leads 23-21 in the third with Madison Rigdon serving
— Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) September 1, 2017
Utah Valley made one final push, winning the first 2 of 3 match points for Kansas, but Ainise Havili and Kelsie Payne switched their usual roles to finish off the match, with Payne getting the assist and Havili the kill.
KANSAS WINS!!! Jayhawks improve to 4-0 with a straight-set win at Utah Valley #KUvball #RockChalk pic.twitter.com/QhKDNhGGwU
— Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) September 1, 2017
This is the first sweep for the Jayhawks this season. They are back in action Friday, Spetember 1st at 3pm against Long Beach State, and then they finish up the weekend against Montana on Saturday, September 2nd at 10:30am. Both of the matches will be available by subscription through FloVolleyball, or you can listen online or your local Jayhawk Radio affiliate.