The K-State volleyball team's win over Colorado might not show how far the team has come, considering the Buffaloes are 1-17 in the Big 12 Conference. But if you watched the Wildcats last season, you know there has been a complete turnaround.

The team finished last season with a 12-18 overall record and was 4-16 in the Big 12.

After losing just one senior from that squad, K-State sits at 22-7 overall and 14-5 in the Big 12 with one match left.

"Last year was the exception, not this year," coach Suzie Fritz said. "Our intentions are to be in the NCAA tournament every year. I think we are just back on track."

Fortunately for the No. 12 Wildcats, the team returned nearly all of its key contributors and added junior Nataly Korobkova to the roster, while Rita Liliom returned from injury.

Depth was the main problem for last year's team, and that seems to be fixed.

K-State has been swept just once this season - by Nebraska - as opposed to the six sweeps they endured last season.

When the teams met for a second match - this time in Manhattan - the Wildcats pushed No. 2 Nebraska into a corner, leading 2-0. The Huskers made a strong push at the end, eventually winning the next three games.

Though they lost, the Wildcats have proven they can stick with the defending national champion Huskers.

No. 3 Texas is the only other Big 12 team ranked ahead of K-State, and Fritz's team pushed the Longhorns to five games. Texas also accounts for Nebraska's only loss.

Senior Stacey Spiegelberg said she would not be surprised if the Wildcats made it to the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight.

The imported duo of Liliom and Korobkova seem to keep opponents in fear of attacks. Korobkova leads the Wildcats in kills with 457, while Liliom added 391 on the season. Together, the two will be a major factor in the Wildcats' NCAA Tournament success.

The Wildcats likely will be host to a first-round match in the tournament, and with a win could play host to a second-round match as well.

Comforting to Wildcat fans, senior defensive specialist Angie Lastra will continue adding digs to her K-State record total.

Fritz has said several times Lastra is one of the best in the country at her position and is a vital part of the team's success.

"Coach Jeff Grove calls her 'lightning in a bottle,'" Fritz said. "That's exactly what she is. There is no explanation for her. I'm thankful that she came all the way to Kansas from Carolina, Puerto Rico."

No matter how long the Wildcats last in the tournament, Lastra will be the anchor, effortlessly diving for dig after dig. The NCAA Tournament could provide one more opportunity to watch Lastra play, and 'lightning in a bottle' is pretty fun to watch.

Jonathan Potter is a sophomore in business. Please send comments to sports@spub.ksu.edu.