Coming into the Big 12 season, Kansas sat at 7-4, still looking for players to emerge from a crop that has talent, but is either young or players filling bigger roles this season. So far in Big 12 play though, they appear to have progressed from some of their early moments as they’ve gone 2-0 with wins against solid TCU and Oklahoma (on the road) teams.
Part of that success can be attributed to Rachel Langs, a 6’3″ freshman middle blocker who has slowly eased into more playing time and more quality rotations on the court for the Jayhawks.
Over the first 10 matches of the season, Langs had appeared in just 21 sets. Over that time, she amassed per set numbers of 0.81 kills on a .239 hitting percentage, 1.05 blocks and 0.14 digs.
Then came the non-conference finale against Drake, in which in four sets she had 6 kills (1.5 per set) on a .222 clip, 8 blocks (2 per set) and 4 digs (1 per set). That may have been the ‘aha’ moment for Langs, where the switch went off, and it has translated into the start of Big 12 action.
Through two matches in Big 12 play, Langs has appeared in all nine of the team’s sets and posted per set numbers of 2.0 kills on a .361 mark, 2.11 blocks and 0.89 digs. That includes the incredible match she just had last night at Oklahoma, when she knocked down 10 kills (.350) to go with 14 blocks – both season/career highs. In fact, the blocks were a new Kansas volleyball record for most in one match.
Zoe Hill has been one of the team’s best players so far as one middle, notching 2.15 kps (.300) and 1.29 bps, but until now that other middle spot had been up in the air between Langs and Mmachi Nwoke. Nwoke, who is averaging 1.49 kps (.245) and 1.18 bps, has not appeared in any of the last three matches with Langs taking control.
A native of Fairview, Texas, Langs was an Under Armour All-America Third-Team selection and the #62 PrepVolleyball recruit for 2018.
Kansas, who is sitting at 9-4 (2-0), will continue their season next Wednesday to start a three match home-stand. First up will be West Virginia, followed by #18 Baylor and then #6 Texas.
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