October big month for volleyball team

For the K-State volleyball team, October marks the biggest test yet of the team's true strength.

It started on a comparatively easy note with the Texas A&M match last weekend. K-State effortlessly trounced the Aggies in three games in a bold statement of its relative ability, but that was just the start of it.

This week, the Wildcats face Oklahoma and No. 11 Texas. Both are tied with K-State for second place in the Big 12 Conference, and both are sporting higher winning percentages. Oklahoma and Texas are perennially strong teams, but Texas, which finished second in the NCAA Tournament last year, has not lived up to everyone's expectations this year. However, both will undoubtedly present formidable challenges to K-State, and wins would speak volumes and might tip K-State up to receive votes from the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

The week after that is the crest of the figurative tsunami of approaching danger, with matches against Iowa State and Nebraska. Iowa State, ranked 10th in the nation and second in the conference, lost two seniors last year and returned three, not unlike K-State. However, the Cyclones have floored some big teams, like Kentucky, Iowa and Oklahoma, which gives credence to their ranking. This does not mean, though, that they are unbeatable; Florida, Nebraska and Texas have all made light work of Iowa State, so K-State certainly has a chance to follow suit.

Finally, at the peak of the season comes Nebraska, which will show its face for the last time in Manhattan for a conference match.

Put frankly, the Cornhuskers are terrifying. They are third in the nation after losing only to No. 2 Florida, and since then have gone on a 13-win rampage through the nation and conference. No matter the strength of this team, though, no one can count K-State out just yet, as the Wildcats have yet to show what they are truly made of. If they can control their turbulent play and cut out the periodic bad spots, they will take Nebraska point for point in what will surely be the most exciting match of the season.

And that is only the first half of the month. In the second half, K-State faces Baylor and back-to-back repeats against Texas, Iowa State and Missouri. Because it will have had experience against the last three, those matches should go over more smoothly, but all three teams will still pose a challenge.

This month will most likely shake K-State to its core in furious action, but fans will be treated to some of the best matches of the season. This truly is a month you do not want to miss.