Inches matter in sports, and Kansas was able to win the close plays in the Sunflower Showdown on Wednesday night at Ahearn Fieldhouse in a three-set decision over K-State, 31-29, 26-24, and 25-18.
The Cats rallied from a 16-12 deficit in the first set, eventually fought off six Jayhawk set points to take a 29-28 lead before KU claimed the final three points of the frame. Set two played out much the same as K-State overcame a 19-15 Jayhawk lead, had set point at 24-23, but KU took advantage of a Wildcat serving error and back-to-back stuff blocks to rally. The Jayhawks would hold their lead in the final stanza, building the edge to as many as seven points, and outkilling K-State 15-10.
Kaitlynn Pelger led the Cats with 11 kills, and Courtney Traxson had 10. Katie Brand dished out 31 assists, and teamed up with Taylor Johnson for five blocks. Tristan McCarty had 13 digs for K-State (12-3, 0-2), and Gina Madonia served a career high three aces on a night the Cats totalled seven. KU (12-3, 2-0) was led by 13 kills from Sara McClinton.
K-State will stay home on Saturday night as they square off with TCU at 7:00pm at Ahearn Fieldhouse. Pregame will begin online at 1350kman.com at 6:30, and NewsRadio 1350 KMAN will join the match at first serve.
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