Rivals' match to break conference tie

By Zach Getz

Friday, October 23, 2009

The Border Showdown will continue Saturday as the Kansas volleyball team takes on Missouri at home in a match that will break the teams’ Big 12 Conference tie.

Kansas is on a two-game winning streak and is 11-8 (4-6) overall while Missouri is 12-9 (4-6). Missouri and Kansas are tied at seventh in the Big 12. Missouri is also 0-5 on the road in the Big 12, and 1-6 overall on the road.

Kansas went up 1-0 in the first match-up with Missouri this season, but even though Kansas and Missouri were close in the last three sets, Kansas faltered late in all three sets. Kansas could have played better in that match, sophomore outside hitter Allison Mayfield said.

The team is looking forward to the Missouri rematch, junior outside hitter Karina Garlington said. The game is also important for positioning in the Big 12 standings, Garlington said.

“As soon as we got in the locker room (after Texas Tech), we were so amped to play Missouri,” Garlington said. “It’s more than just a rivalry game. There is a lot riding on it.”

Kansas has a good opportunity to pick up a lot of quality victories with seven of its last 11 games at home, Mayfield said.

“It seems that home matches are a little easier and we have more confidence,” Mayfield said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to come out a little better the second half than we did the first half.”

While Kansas will need to do well in the second half of its Big 12 play, coach Ray Bechard said he wouldn’t put a figure on the number of matches Kansas needs to win.

“We’re just going to take them one at a time, and do what we can to prepare for each match,” Bechard said.

— Edited by Samantha Foster

Comments

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.

Advertisement