When talking about K-State's most recent match — a home loss to Texas — Kathleen Ludwig didn't sound like a member of a team that is winless in conference play.

"There are a lot of great things we took out of that match; a lot of positive things," said Ludwig, redshirt freshman outside hitter on the Wildcat volleyball team. "It was definitely kind of a refreshing match, and it was exciting for all of us."

Ludwig and the Wildcats (6-8, 0-4 Big 12 Conference) had reason to be excited after pushing the Longhorns in the 0-3 loss on Oct. 2. K-State made very few mental mistakes and hit .300 as a team, which stands as the highest hitting percentage allowed by Texas all season.

"For the No. 2 team in the nation, I think that's a pretty good milestone to go over," Ludwig said.

The Wildcats intend to build on that success and earn its first 2009 conference victory when team members take on Texas A&M (10-3, 3-2) tonight in College Station, Texas.

The Aggies own a perfect 5-0 mark at G. Rollie White Coliseum this season, highlighted by a 3-1 win over national powerhouse Nebraska on Sept. 23.

Ludwig said the Wildcats, who are looking to avoid an 0-5 start for only the second time since the inception of the Big 12, will need to be on its heels when team members take the court for tonight's action.

"Anything can happen," she said. "The Big 12 is a great league and everyone's tough. [Texas A&M] is going to work hard, so I think we're going to have to work extra hard just to focus on putting points down on our side."

Tonight's match marks the 28th meeting between the schools. The Wildcats and Aggies only faced off once prior to the conference's inception in 1996 with Texas A&M taking a 3-1 decision in 1981. K-State owns a 16-11 advantage in the series, but the Aggies have a 9-4 edge against the Wildcats in matches played at home.

Texas A&M has been led this season by senior outside hitter Sarah Ammerman, who is averaging 4.03 kills per set. Freshman middle blocker Lindsey Miller also has been a force during her inaugural campaign, averaging .83 blocks per set while maintaining a .353 hitting percentage.

The Wildcats plan to counter with junior outside hitter JuliAnne Chisholm, who currently leads the team in blocks with 3.16 per set, and senior middle blocker Kelsey Chipman, who averages 1.09 blocks per set and owns a team-leading .352 hitting percentage.

Tonight's showdown marks the beginning of a two-match road trip for K-State. irst serve is set for 6:30 p.m.