The No. 21 Wildcat volleyball team returned to action this weekend as it hosted the Varney's K- State Invitational at Ahearn Field House. The four-team tournament featured quality opponents in Kentucky, Portland and Purdue.

The Wildcats (6-4) began the tournament facing No. 17 Kentucky (10-0) on Friday. Kentucky grabbed a 1-0 lead, downing the Wildcats 25-19 in the second set, but K-State responded with a 25-21 win in the ensuing set to even the match at 1-1. The Wildcats appeared to be on the cusp of a 2-1 advantage after using a late run to knot the third set at 22-22, but a service error and a Kentucky service ace doomed K-State in a 23-25 loss. Kentucky then gained a 15-2 lead in the fourth and final set. K-State found its rhythm late, but the early deficit was too much to overcome as Kentucky took the last set 25-15 to clinch the match.

"You're going to have a hard time battling back from that kind of a deficit," said head coach Suzie Fritz, after the match. "I thought we played well after we finally got out of those rotations, but we can't put ourselves in that position."

K-State was led by redshirt-freshman outside hitter Kathleen Ludwig, who tallied 12 kills. The loss marked the first for K-State in its home tournament since a setback against Minnesota in 2005.

Saturday started off better for the Wildcats as they downed the Portland Pilots (2-9) in five sets, winning by scores of 25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 23-25 and 15-5. Senior outside hitter Kelsey Chipman had her strongest showing of the year with 17 kills and a .500 hitting percentage. Freshman outside hitter Caitlyn Donahue had a big night posting a double-double with 14 kills and 18 digs. The Wildcats defense held the Pilots with a hitting percentage under .200 and posting 13 blocks.

In its final match of the tournament, K-State faced Purdue on Saturday evening. The Wildcats were not able to avenge last season's loss to the Boilermakers, as Purdue downed the Wildcats in five sets by scores of 24-26, 25-22, 25-15 and 20-25 and 15-12. Leading the way for K-State was Ludwig, who notched 15 kills and three service aces. Junior outside hitter JuliAnne Chisholm was the only other Wildcat with double figures in kills at 13 and managed a .235 hitting percentage. The Wildcat offense had trouble getting started as they were held below a .200 hitting percentage in every set but the fourth, when it hit .256 as a team. Sophomore middle hitter Tiffany Fisher led the way for the Boilermakers with 18 kills and a .455 hitting percentage.

After the conclusion of the final match, the all-tournament team was announced. Chipman was the only Wildcat honored.

The Wildcats return Wednesday, taking on the Oklahoma Sooners (7-2) in Ahearn Field House.