KU volleyball 18-0 after topping Baylor, 3-1

By J-W Staff Reports     Oct 14, 2015

? Kelsie Payne and Madison Rigdon smashed 13 kills apiece, while fellow Texas native Tiana Dockery contributed nine as Kansas University’s No. 9-ranked volleyball team remained undefeated on the season with a 3-1 victory over Baylor on Wednesday night in Ferrell Center.

KU, which prevailed 25-21, 13-25, 25-20, 25-17, improved to 18-0 overall and 6-0 in the Big 12. Baylor fell to 13-6, 1-4.

“Baylor took the fight to us. Sometimes it is not going to be a pretty match, but we will take the effort,” KU coach Ray Bechard said. “We feel good about the fact that Baylor took away a lot of the things that we wanted to do, but we still found a way to win.”

Ainise Havili, who is from Fort Worth, Texas (Payne is from Austin, Rigdon from Pflugerville and Dockery from Richmond), had 34 assists and 13 digs to go with five kills.

Tayler Soucie had eight kills and six blocks and Cassie Wait 11 digs for KU. Dockery contributed five blocks.

Shelly Fanning had 14 kills for Baylor.

Overall, KU had 48 kills off a .226 hitting percentage. Baylor had 51 kills and hit .223. The Jayhawks have the weekend off, then meet Oklahoma at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, in Horejsi Center.

Notes: At No. 9 overall, KU reached a program-high ranking in the AVCA Coaches Poll for four consecutive weeks. Entering the season, KU’s highest ranking was No. 17 at the end of 2013 season. … KU entered the match leading the nation in kills (15.5), hitting percentage (.323), and assists (14.5). Havili entered as the country’s leader in assists per set (12.6). … KU’s 18-match winning streak is the best start to a season in program history and the longest winning streak in program history. Kansas is chasing what would be a program-best fourth consecutive bid to the NCAA tournament. … KU trails Baylor in the all-time series, 22-20. KU has won seven of the last eight matches vs. BU including five straight.

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