Austin, Texas ? The Kansas University volleyball squad is getting good at rallying.
After losing the first two games, KU came back to beat Texas, 3-2, Saturday night at Gregory Gym. Despite losing the first two games, 26-30 and 28-30, the Jayhawks (16-9 overall, 8-6 Big 12 Conference) took the final three games, 30-16, 30-21 and 15-9.
KU rallied from a 9-1 deficit in Game Five to beat Missouri Wednesday.
The Longhorns (11-12, 6-8 Big 12) dominated Game One, posting a .317 hitting percentage. KU played better in Game Two, but UT prevailed.
In Game Three, however, the Jayhawks ignited. KU jumped to a 10-2 lead behind the jump serves of Andi Rozum, building a 21-5 lead.
After Rozum’s serves again led the Jayhawks in Game Four, the teams exchanged leads early in Game Five. KU pulled ahead, 8-4, behind four unanswered points. The Longhorns came back with three points before KU increased its lead to 12-8 and never relinquished.
It was KU’s first-ever win in Austin over the Longhorns.
“I have never seen this team play as well as they did in this final hour,” KU coach Ray Bechard said. “We had great results and did something no Jayhawk team has ever done in Austin.”
Sarah Rome led the KU offense with 23 kills on a .425 attack percentage and added 11 digs. Middle blocker Ashley Michaels had 22 kills on a .395 hitting mark, while Josi Lima added 17 kills and 10 digs.
Texas still leads the all-time series against KU, 15-4, including a 7-1 mark at home.
The Jayhawks will play host to Oklahoma at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Horejsi Center.