Jared Soares/Journal-World PhotoA few tears trickled down Sarah Rome’s cheeks Sunday night while she gathered with her Kansas University volleyball teammates in the Memorial Stadium press box to watch the NCAA Tournament Selection Show.
It’s been hard to squeeze much emotion out of Rome during her four years as a Jayhawk, but the senior’s eyes watered when she saw Kansas’ name appear on the television screen, announcing the first postseason berth in the program’s 28-year history.
“To know it’s not over yet, and to go to the tournament with this team is just awesome,” said Rome, KU’s career kills leader with 1,275. “Everyone knows their role. People had to step up when they needed to and they did. That was huge for us.”
The Jayhawks (21-10) will play Long Beach State (19-10) Thursday in Malibu, Calif., at Pepperdine University. The 49ers are making their 17th straight postseason appearance. They won national championships in 1989, 1993 and 1998.
Match time will be announced today.
A victory over Long Beach would place Kansas in a second-round matchup Friday with the winner between fourth-seeded Pepperdine (25-2) and Manhattan (21-13).
A sweep of Texas Tech Saturday secured a share of third place in the Big 12 Conference and seemed to lock up an NCAA bid, but many of the Jayhawks admitted anxiety kept them from sleeping well Saturday night. After all, they were on the tournament doorstep last year and weren’t invited in. The sixth-place Jayhawks (19-10 overall, 10-10 Big 12 Conference) became the first Big 12 team with a .500 or better conference record to get denied.
“Last year we were waiting and we were waiting,” recalled junior libero Jill Dorsey, “and then the last bracket came, and we weren’t there.”
That Jayhawk squad sat in stunned silence last year in the same press box suite. That memory was the driving force behind Sunday’s joy.
“We’ve just had that bitter taste in our mouth since we didn’t get in last year,” senior Abbie Jacobson said. “Every day at practice, that’s kind of been the fire in us getting better. We’ve looked forward to this day and just to get it out of the way and know that we’re in the tournament and made history today.”
The Big 12 placed six teams in the field of 64 this year. Kansas State, Nebraska, Colorado, Texas A&M and Missouri will play this week, too. Missouri received a bid as the sixth-place team this season, which drew a few Jayhawks’ ire.
“I just don’t understand why last year it wasn’t like that,” junior Ashley Michaels said, “but the more the merrier.”
Michaels admitted that last year’s snub made this season’s tourney berth that much sweeter, especially given the constant struggles Kansas overcame. First, sophomore setter Andi Rozum missed the first 10 matches of the season because of a preseason injury, but junior Ashley Bechard filled that void.
Then freshman hitter Janaina Correa suffered a season-ending knee injury. Again Kansas responded, this time with more offensive production from Rome, Michaels, junior Lindsey Morris and sophomore Josi Lima.
“Anything worth it is worth fighting for,” Michaels said, “and that’s what we did. We fought and we fought and we fought. We fought through injury, we fought through a couple of tough losses, a couple great wins, and we came out on top. I think that’s the theme for this year.”
