Manhattan ? Kansas University’s volleyball team lost a 10-point lead in the fourth set and fell, 3-1, to Kansas State on Wednesday in the Big 12 Conference opener for both teams.
KU, which fell, 25-15, 25-20, 23-25, 31-29, dropped to 9-3, while K-State improved to 6-5.
Kansas entered the third set with renewed confidence after dropping the first two. The Jayhawks rattled off six unanswered points with the help of three Karina Garlington kills and led the rest of the set.
In the fourth set, Kansas used an early 10-3 run to gain an 18-8 advantage, its largest lead of the set. The Wildcats scored six straight points, then went on a 7-1 run to take the lead.
“We overcame a slow start and put ourselves in a position to do something special,” said Kansas coach Ray Bechard, who remains one victory shy of 200 at Kansas. “When you’re in a position to finalize a set, we have to do it. But the momentum swung, and we came up a couple of plays short.”
Kansas junior Allison Mayfield led all players with 18 kills.
She also added 10 digs for her second double-double of the season. Freshman libero Brianne Riley led four Jayhawks in double-figure digs (18), while chipping in six assists.
Junior setter Nicole Tate and sophomore defensive specialist Morgan Boub added 11 and 10 digs, respectively.
Kansas will return home to play host to Texas A&M at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Horejsi Center.