Irving, Texas ? Kansas University sophomore right-side hitter Kelsie Payne was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after career performances that helped lift No. 10 Kansas to becoming the fastest team in program history to reach 20 wins.
Payne led the Big 12 in offensive production with 37 kills (5.3 kills per set) during wins against two RPI top-40 teams last week — at Iowa State and at home against Baylor. She led the league on the week in kills per set and points per set (5.64).
Payne’s week started with a career-high 26 kills on Wednesday, helping KU come back from a first-set loss to defeat Iowa State on the road and reach 20 wins. Payne’s 26 kills are the most of any Big 12 student-athlete during league play. The Austin, Texas, native polished off the week with a match-high 11 kills during a dominating straight-set victory over Baylor on Saturday, extending KU’s home winning streak to 17 matches.
Payne ranks second in the Big 12 in kills per set (4.1) and hitting percentage (.400) this season. She is the only Division I player to rank in the top-50 in both kills (41st) and hitting percentage (24th) nationally.
http://www2.kusports.com/photos/2015/oct/21/298238/
