Match Results
- #8 Kansas def. NC State 3-1, (25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24)
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Wolfpack Invitational
- Attendance: 972
- Match Stats
#8 Kansas fought through a tough four-set match to take down NC State in their season opener at the Wolfpack Invitational. The Jayhawks have now won 27 of their last 28 regular-season nonconference matches.
Kansas took a 9-5 lead early in the first set and was able to keep up this lead throughout the set. NC State couldn’t fight back on the lead, dropping the first set 25-20. The second set saw NC State with a small 4-2 lead at the start, but the Jayhawks swooped in to take a 9-5 lead. Again, Kansas was able to hold on to a small two-three point lead throughout the second set, just out of reach of the Wolfpack. NC State tried to make a run late but came up short 25-23.
NC State took the early lead over Kansas in the third, but could not hold on until they tied things back up at 15-15. From there, they broke away to take a 23-18 lead late, but a small Kansas push brought the set close but it was not enough to complete the sweep as NC State took the third 25-23. The final set of the match was a back and forth fight between the teams, with the score being tied a number of times late, up until 24-24 when the Jayhawks pulled away to take the 26-24 match win.
KANSAS WINS!!! An ace from Madison Rigdon on match point gives #KUvball a season-opening win at NC State!#RockChalk pic.twitter.com/v6NnGmRMYB
— Kansas Volleyball (@KUVolleyball) August 25, 2017
Kansas outplayed the Wolfpack in almost every statistical category with the kicker coming at 67-51 kills.
All-American Madison Rigdon began 2017 with a double-double for Kansas with 17 kills and 15 digs while adding two aces to her tally. Kelsie Payne and Jada Burse also added double-digit kills for the Jayhawks with 16 and 15, respectively. Setter Ainise Havili also produced a double-double with 54 assists and 22 digs, Allie Nelson also picked up 22 digs in the win.
For NC State, Melissa Evans put down 14 kills while Bree Bailey added another 10. Setter Kylie Pickrell posted a double-double with 23 assists, 18 digs and two aces.
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