Melissa Grieb digs the ball against Colorado on Sept. 30. Kansas will face Nebraska tonight. Kansas volleyball has never won against Nebraska.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
As the Kansas volleyball team faces Nebraska tonight, it will be attempting to do something it has never accomplished: defeat Nebraska.
Kansas has played Nebraska to a 0-82-1 record since 1975. This season, Kansas (9-5, 2-3) has yet to win a conference game on the road while Nebraska (10-4, 3-2) lost its last home game to No. 2 Texas.
Kansas can use the lopsided record as motivation to try to make history, sophomore outside hitter Allison Mayfield said. It would also be a quality road win for Kansas’ NCAA volleyball tournament résumé, coach Ray Bechard said.
Next
Kansas at No. 9 Nebraska
When: 7 p.m. tonight
Where: Lincoln, Neb.
Upcoming
No. 14 Iowa State at Kansas
When: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10
Where: Horejsi Family Athletics Center
“There is a reason a lot of teams haven’t beat them much lately — because perennially over the last 10 to 15 years, they have been probably the best program in the country,” Bechard said.
The team has been trying to stay focused in practice despite having to face a tough team like Nebraska, Mayfield said.
“We come with our A-game at practice because practice will determine if we are ready to play,” Mayfield said. “If we want to win, we have to work hard at practice.”
The 4,000-plus fans who usually attend Nebraska volleyball games are very knowledgeable and get fired up for games, senior defensive specialist Katie Martincich said.
“They love volleyball,” Martincich said. “They cheer for good plays no matter if it’s for them or us.”
Martincich said that volleyball is as important to Nebraska as basketball is to Kansas.
“You can compare them to KU basketball,” Martincich said. “It’s a tradition-rich program that has successful years that helps them get recruits year after year.”
Bechard said that junior outside hitter Karina Garlington, who has been nursing an injury, is expected to play. Garlington had five errors and a season low of five kills against Texas A&M over the weekend.
After Nebraska, the schedule doesn’t get easier for Kansas. The team hosts No. 14 Iowa State on Saturday and No. 2 Texas on October 14.
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