Senior setter Stacy Spiegelberg said the Tulsa Golden Hurricane has some elements K-State's volleyball team hasn't seen yet this season.
This is something the Wildcats might have to get used to as they open action in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday against Tulsa at 7:30 p.m. at Ahearn Field House.
Without a doubt, the rest of the season likely will have opponents who bring different looks than what K-State has been accustomed to this year, but don't expect the Wildcats to change their mentality. They will keep playing their game and use the excitement around the tournament to fuel it.
"I am a preacher of habit, so I think I just approach it the same way," coach Suzie Fritz said. "The nice thing about the postseason is there is just rejuvenation that occurs with your team, the excitement of playing somebody new and somebody different, the excitement of the sense of urgency that comes with having to win now."
The opportunity to play off that fresh excitement will come with the match-up against the Golden Hurricane, who feature a strong offensive attack led by Fabiola Nepomuceno and Julia Silva. Nepomuceno is averaging more than four kills a game while Silva is registering more than three digs per game.
"They are a nice team that won their Conference USA tournament," Fritz said. "Two capable left-side attackers, and I really like their setter - I think she's a really nice player."
Spiegelberg said one positive for the Wildcats is having home-court advantage. K?State is 11-3 at Ahearn Field House this season.
"Huge advantage," Fritz said. "You get to sleep in your own bed. You get to play in front of your own people; I think it's a huge advantage. We have been far more successful in Ahearn Field House than we have been in any other gym in the country."
The Wildcats still might have some of their best play to display this season as Fritz said her team hasn't been able to extend some of that play into long streaks.
"At times you have probably seen the best of us," Fritz said. "I'm not sure we have been able to put it together for long stretches of time yet over the course of a series of games, a series of matches."
It is the 11th time K-State has made the tournament field in the past 12 years after not being selected last season. It's the sixth team to enter the tournament under Fritz, who holds a 6-5 record in postseason.
It will be the 25th meeting between K-State and Tulsa, against whom the Wildcats are 22-2 all-time. K-State is 28-15 against the teams playing in Manhattan.
The winner of the match between K-State and Tulsa will play the winner of the Oregon-Missouri State match to be played Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Ahearn. The second-round game will be at 7 p.m. at Ahearn on Saturday.
