Omaha, Neb. ? Fourth-ranked Kansas volleyball remained unbeaten after withstanding a test from preseason-No. 18 Creighton in front of a packed home-opening crowd at D.J. Sokol Arena on Thursday night to open the Bluejay Invitational. The Jayhawks won their second-straight five-set match, 25-21, 23-25, 21-25, 28-26, 15-13.
KU junior Madison Rigdon had a match-high 24 kills, 11 digs and four aces.
With the Jayhawks (7-0) down a set in the fourth set, Rigdon had three kills during a stretch of six set points, helping KU forced a fifth set.
“I was pleased on a lot of levels, and disappointed on a lot of levels,” KU coach Ray Bechard said. “Seems like we dug a hole for ourselves – down 2-1, 9-4 in the fourth set. It was not a thing of beauty tonight. Tonight was about using 10, 11, 12 players who converted on their chances and dug-in to beat a good team when we didn’t play our very best.”
KU senior libero Cassie Wait recorded 33 digs, her second consecutive 30-dig performance, while junior setter Ainise Havili added 43 assists, five kills and 10 digs. Junior Kelsie Payne had a team-best eight blocks, 11 kills and six digs.
The Jayhawks will face Chattanooga at 3:30 p.m. Friday at D.J. Sokol Arena.
