The 2016 Kansas volleyball team accomplished something even last year's national semifinals squad cannot boast. This past Saturday, the fourth-ranked Jayhawks defeated the No. 2 Texas Longhorns, thus breaking a 25-match series losing streak that dates back to 2003.
Opposite hitter Kelsie Payne led Kansas with 21 kills--only Texas' Micaya White had more with a match total of 25. Madison Rigdon added 16 kills on 45 attempts, hitting .222.
As a team, Kansas out-blocked Texas 13 to 9.5. The Jayhawks extended their at-home win streak to 14 straight matches, remaining undefeated in 2016 inside the Horejsi Family Athletics Center. The 25-11 second-set scoreline was the lowest points total the Longhorns have posted in a set so far this year.
"Texas has set a great standard that we're all trying to chase down," Kansas head coach Ray Bechard said. "That team made us better tonight."
Texas and Kansas are now tied for first place in the Big 12 standings with one loss apiece, but Bechard isn't ready to rest on what his team has accomplished so far in the 2016 season.
"This needs to be part of our journey, not our destination," he said. "I don't want to rain on their parade. I'm sure they're going to enjoy it tonight, but come Monday this is off the books and we have to get ready to play a team in Manhattan (Kansas) that has a very high RPI and is an NCAA tournament team."
That match Bechard highlighted is versus Kansas State on Wednesday night at 7 CT. The live stream will be available on ESPN3.
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Opposite hitter Kelsie Payne led Kansas with 21 kills--only Texas' Micaya White had more with a match total of 25. Madison Rigdon added 16 kills on 45 attempts, hitting .222.
As a team, Kansas out-blocked Texas 13 to 9.5. The Jayhawks extended their at-home win streak to 14 straight matches, remaining undefeated in 2016 inside the Horejsi Family Athletics Center. The 25-11 second-set scoreline was the lowest points total the Longhorns have posted in a set so far this year.
"Texas has set a great standard that we're all trying to chase down," Kansas head coach Ray Bechard said. "That team made us better tonight."
Texas and Kansas are now tied for first place in the Big 12 standings with one loss apiece, but Bechard isn't ready to rest on what his team has accomplished so far in the 2016 season.
"This needs to be part of our journey, not our destination," he said. "I don't want to rain on their parade. I'm sure they're going to enjoy it tonight, but come Monday this is off the books and we have to get ready to play a team in Manhattan (Kansas) that has a very high RPI and is an NCAA tournament team."
That match Bechard highlighted is versus Kansas State on Wednesday night at 7 CT. The live stream will be available on ESPN3.
Kansas def. Texas 3-2 (17-25, 25-11, 27-25, 12-25, 15-10)
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