Richard Gwin/Journal-World PhotoEmily Brown watched dozens of volleyball matches at Kansas University’s Horejsi Center as a fan during the past five years, but playing in her first home matches as a KU freshman Friday night, Brown began carving her place in Jayhawk volleyball lore.
She played a critical role in KU’s two home-opening victories as the Jayhawks disposed of Rhode Island, 3-0 (30-23, 30-24, 30-21) before polishing off No. 25 Wisconsin, 3-1 (30-21, 30-26, 29-31, 30-22), on opening night of the Holiday Inn/Jayhawk Classic.
“It’s very exciting to be able to play on this court,” said Brown, a former standout at Baldwin High. “I’ve just idolized all the KU players that have been through the program so far, and it’s quite an honor just to be out there and play on the same court.”
Brown didn’t just play, though. She contributed an all-around solid effort that was fitting for the Big 12 Conference Preseason Co-Freshman of the Year. She had four kills and six digs against Rhode Island, but muscled up for 11 kills, 15 digs, three assists, four blocks and an ace against Wisconsin.
“Everyone worked really well together,” she said. “We’ve had some good matches this season, but we finally started coming together today.”
KU coach Ray Bechard couldn’t agree more. He praised Brown’s steady contributions throughout the day, but absolutely raved about his squad’s communication, even-keeled mentality and overall domination in all statistical areas — especially against the nationally-ranked Badgers.
“It’s a good win against a quality, quality team,” he said. “We outblocked them 15-7, out-dug them 72-52 and hit for a very good efficiency (.320). I was most pleased with … we didn’t get any breaks in Game Three, and we bounced right back in Game Four and really responded well. I think that’s the sign of a pretty mature team and a pretty confident team.”
Five Jayhawks finished in double-figure kills against Wisconsin, led by junior Josi Lima’s game-high 20. Sophomore Jana Correa added 12, and Ashley Michaels and Paula Caten joined Brown with 11 apiece. Sophomore Jamie Mathewson added nine digs in what Bechard called her finest match as a Jayhawk.
Against Rhode Island, Michaels led the way with 11 kills and Lima added nine.
The most eye-catching statistic Friday was KU’s blocking. Historically, the Jayhawks (6-0) have been dreadful at blocking, but that wasn’t the case Friday. Kansas out-blocked Rhode Island by 3 1/2 and Wisconsin by 8.
“Last year we were one of the last teams in the Big 12 in blocking,” Lima said, “so this year we’ve been working really hard to change that.”
Most of the damage was done by Lima, Michaels and junior setter Andi Rozum, who always seemed to come up with a critical combo-block any time Wisconsin threatened to rally.
“We’re much more physical than we’ve ever been,” Bechard said, “and we’ve just been more committed to it in our preseason. That was one of our areas of emphasis.
“It’s so refreshing to see instant points. Last year we had to grind it out and grind it out and grind it out. That just wasn’t a phase of the game we were very good at, but we work at it. Plus, we’ve got some good athletes up there.”
The Jayhawks play Denver (2-4) at 2 p.m. today for the tournament title. Wisconsin (2-2) and Rhode Island (2-4) meet at noon.
For Kansas University’s volleyball team, the emotions were all on the surface.
The Jayhawks displayed anxiety, hope, fear, optimism and shock Sunday as the 64 teams receiving invitations to the NCAA Tournament slowly were unveiled. Kansas was not one of them.
The NCAA selection committee denied the Jayhawks despite a respectable 19-10 record, a sixth-place finish in the Big 12 and a history of the conference being well-represented in the NCAAs.
“We were hoping we could trust the history of the Big 12 conference,” KU coach Ray Bechard said. “We’ve always had at least six, and that didn’t happen.”
Instead, it was five, with Kansas on the outside looking in. Nebraska, Kansas State, Missouri, Texas and Texas A&M all will begin first-round action later this week. Kansas will begin looking toward next year, with four seniors calling it a career just a little bit earlier than they had hoped.
“I didn’t expect it to be so fast,” senior Jennifer Kraft said. “Deep down I was wishing we were going to go to the tournament and that Saturday wasn’t my last match ever. But it was.”
The top 16 seeds in the tournament were announced as first- and second-round hosts, with Nebraska getting a No. 3 slot. USC was the No. 1 seed overall.
The Big Ten received eight selections, including three teams with identical conference records as Kansas. Northwestern, Michigan State and Indiana all had .500 conference seasons.
“They probably make the choice to take none of them or all of them,” Bechard said. “They chose to take all of them.”
With the rejection came the what-ifs about five-game losses to Missouri and Texas A&M at home, and a five-game loss to Texas Tech on the road. All three setbacks were a few bounces away from being a Kansas victory. Any one of the three could’ve put KU over the hump and into its first-ever NCAA Tournament.
“The A&M match is the match that would’ve tied us with them for fifth,” Bechard said. “They got to take us both if that’s the case.”
The Jayhawks finished with a 10-10 conference record, but earned just one victory against teams ahead of them in the standings, a 3-0 win over Texas on Nov. 2.
As each of the five teams ahead of Kansas was slowly revealed Sunday :quot; Texas A&M first, then K-State, then Missouri, Nebraska and Texas :quot; the Jayhawks hopes slowly dwindled.
“The bottom line is, if you win 10 matches in this conference and finish in the top six in this conference, you’ve always gone,” Bechard said.
Not this year.
As the selection show came to an end, a teary-eyed KU squad huddled together, cried, “Rock Chalk Jayhawk KU” one last time.
“Hopefully,” Kraft said softly, “hopefully next year.”
KU volleyball continues perfect run
6Sports video: Kansas volleyball wins Jayhawk Classic