If there is one thing to learn about freshman setter Nicole Tate this season, it’s that she’s honest. Maybe even brutally honest.

Tate, who is from St Louis, did not hold back when addressing the extent of her role in Kansas’ inconsistent offense this season.

“Full responsibility. It is my whole job to make the offense work,” Tate said. “If it fails, then it’s my fault.”

Tate doesn’t sugarcoat her performances. And though it would be a stretch to say the offense has failed outright, it must become more consistent if the Jayhawks are to climb out of the Big 12 cellar. A victory against border rival Missouri tonight at the Horejsi Family Athletic Center would be a good start.

Kansas ranks ninth in the Big 12 in hitting percentage — a cold .195 for the season. That percentage falls to .186 for conference play. A respectable number for a quality team is about .200, coach Ray Bechard said.

Six Big 12 teams have posted hitting percentages of .200 or higher during conference play. Five of those teams have winning records in the conference. For Kansas to turn its season around, the offense has to come through against Missouri.

“I think we’re going to get back into our rhythm that we need to be in,” Tate said after Monday’s practice. “Keeping up with the defense is important, but keeping an offensive edge against Missouri would be great.”

Growing pains are inevitable when a freshman starts at any position. But the season is almost over, so Bechard expects Tate to correct those some of those rookie mistakes.

“There are some bumps there,” Bechard said. “But she’s closer to being a sophomore in my book.”

Bechard does not want to discount what Tate has done for the Jayhawks. Setter is one of the more valuable and pressure-filled positions on the court, and Tate has had some bright spots.

She sits fifth in the conference in assists, averaging just more than 10 per set.

Tate also leads the team in double-doubles, and her 64-assist match against Wyoming earlier this year still stands as second-most in the Big 12 for a single match.

“She’s done a great job managing the role that she has, which is quite extensive for a freshman,” Bechard said. “She’s got a lot of experienced players around her, so that’s what we need to draw on.”

Those experienced players, such as middle blockers Natalie Uhart and Savannah Noyes, will compete in the Border Showdown for the last time as Kansas players. To add more value, only one match in the standings separates the teams.

“Every match of my senior year is important to me,” Uhart said. “It’s the Border Showdown, so we got to win.”

Any more losses and it might be too late to salvage hopes for an NCAA Tournament bid. Kansas is 1-5 in its last five matches, and the consistent struggles have weighed on the team. But as Tate improves, so will the offense. Uhart said she thought the team just needed a victory to relieve the pressure.

“We’re trying to work on it in practice, and it’s just getting to the point where it’s frustrating,” Uhart said. “We’re in a rut and we’re trying to get out of it. It’s not fun.”

— — Edited by Mary Sorrick