In her first career start as a Wildcat, junior outside hitter Vanessa Murray was strong. Unfortunately for Murray and the K-State women's volleyball team, the competition was stronger.

Murray, a junior-college transfer from Pierce College, led the Wildcats (6-6, 0-2 Big 12 Conference) with 12 kills, but K-State was overpowered in a 3-1 loss to No. 24 Baylor (12-1, 1-1) Saturday in Waco, Texas.

The Bears wasted no time taking control, pounding the Wildcats 25-10 in the opening set behind a stellar defensive effort that held K-State to a -.091 hitting percentage. The Wildcat offense found its rhythm in the ensuing set, tallying 16 kills in a 25-20 win to even the match, but Baylor took control of the match in the final two sets.

After falling behind early in the third set, the Bears went on a 12-3 run from which K-State could not recover, as Baylor won the set 25-13. The Wildcats jumped out to another early lead in the fourth and final set, but the Bears hung with K-State and closed out the set on a 10-4 run to clinch the victory.

Baylor's Ashlie Christenson led all scorers in the match with 14 and Katie Sanders added 11. In addition to Murray's team-high 12 kills, fellow junior outside hitter JuliAnne Chisholm added 11 for the Wildcats.

K-State returns to the friendly confines of Ahearn Field House for its next action — a Wednesday showdown with the Texas Tech Red Raiders. First serve is set for 7 p.m.