Jared SoaresCoach Ray Bechard called it “workmanlike” and meant it as a compliment to his Kansas University volleyball team.
After a pair of emotional wins Friday, a game the following afternoon against 3-5 Temple was a prime spot for a letdown.
The Jayhawks never allowed that to happen.
Kansas took the championship of the 2005 Pizza Hut Jayhawk Invitational with a 30-23, 30-22, 30-23 sweep of Temple at Horejsi Center.
“I don’t think it was our most emotional, enthusiastic effort,” Bechard said, “but I thought it was effective and productive.”
Jared SoaresThe Jayhawks finished the tournament with a perfect 3-0 record, also defeating Michigan State and Virginia Commonwealth three games to none Friday.
“It didn’t seem like we were always playing our best,” Bechard said, “but we won nine games and didn’t lose any.”
Kansas never was seriously challenged by Temple.
After taking the first game, the Jayhawks dominated round two. Leading 21-16, Kansas scored six of the next seven points, including a pair of kills from reserve Megan Hill.
The 10-point cushion allowed playing time for some other seldom-used Jayhawks, as junior Dani Wittman, and freshmen Kristin Buehler and Liz Ingram all found themselves on the court to end the second game.
Kansas completed the match with five of the last seven points in game three to finish off the overmatched Owls.
“We don’t see teams, we just get ready and get focused for every team,” Kansas middle blocker Josi Lima said. “I think that’s the key to being successful every game.”
Lima added some decor for her dorm room, picking up the tournament’s MVP award.
Jayhawks Jana Correa and Paula Caten also were named to the seven-person all- tournament team.
The game marked a homecoming for Temple player Linsey Morningstar, who graduated from Free State High in 2003.
Linsey’s older sister, Jamie, played volleyball at Kansas.
Ready or not, the Jayhawks will head full-force into conference play Wednesday with a home date against No. 13 Texas A&M.
Kansas finished the nonconference portion of its schedule with an 8-1 record, with the only loss coming last weekend to BYU.
“The Big 12 is very hard competition,” Correa said. “I think we’re ready, but I think we’re going to get much better through the competition and through the Big 12.”
