Richmond, Va. ? The Kansas University volleyball team was swept in its season opener against Virginia Commonwealth, 3-0, on Friday night.
Commonwealth freshman Allison Mayfield led all players with 11 kills in her collegiate debut.
VCU improved to 2-0 during its home Invitational.
KU sophomore Melissa Manda opened up the year with double-digit digs (11) in the Jayhawks’ backcourt.
Sophomore Karina Garlington added nine kills for the Jayhawks, and senior Natalie Uhart contributed seven on a team-best .500 hitting efficiency. Nicole Tate ran the KU offense with 23 assists.
In the opening set, Kansas trailed by as many as nine, but the Jayhawks strung together an 8-1 run to come within two points at 18-16. KU stayed within four points for the remainder of the set, but never could catch VCU, which won the first set, 25-22.
After winning the second set, VCU’s 8-1 run to open the third set was enough for the Rams to clinch the match.
Kansas will finish play in the VCU Invitational at noon today against North Carolina State.
