Volleyball faces issues heading into next match

The K-State volleyball team played some rough matches recently and a good number have resulted in wins, but there is still one potential problem.

"There's certainly a momentum issue right now, in terms of us being able to continue to make improvement and build upon what we've been able to do," said head coach Suzie Fritz. "I think we've lost our identity a little bit."

In the last few matches, the team was swinging from high to low and back again in an unpredictable shift that sometimes helps and sometimes hinders, and Fritz said it was starting to wear on her.

"It's hard to stay optimistic when you know your team is capable of doing more," Fritz said. "We're not in a great rhythm right now as a team."

It had better get it back pretty soon, though, because K-State returns to conference action Saturday, and it chose a tough team to play.

With a narrow victory under its belt from last Tuesday, K-State (8-7, 2-2 Big 12 Conference) plays its only road match in a two-week block against Texas A&M (9-5, 3-1) in College Station, Texas, in what will certainly be close competition, Fritz said.

"They have a lot of good players," Fritz said.

Adding to its difficult opponent, K-State is out of Ahearn Field House for the first time in a week and a half, which Fritz said would only make things worse.

"I think like any other time, when we go on the road, it's more difficult to play well on the road and out of your own environment," Fritz said.

The Aggies pulled off two wins against conference teams last week, sweeping Texas Tech and just notching a victory over Colorado in five games. K-State also swept Texas Tech, but lost to Colorado in five. Earlier this year, the Aggies opened conference play with a huge upset over then-No. 8 Texas by trouncing the team in three games, much against the expectations of all.

Texas A&M has only two team statistics that stand out in the league: opponent hitting percentage and serving aces. The former, which ranks second, suggests the Aggies have a strong defense, but their other rankings do not necessarily support that. However, they are sporting one of the best hitters in the area.

The big gun on the Aggies' side is junior hitter Kelsey Black. With her first-place tie in the conference for kills per game and her lone first-place spot in service aces, she leads the Big 12 in points per game. However, Black is sporting a low .183 hitting percentage, which could mean with all the swings she is taking, she could tire if K-State can keep the block going for long enough.

And that should not be a problem, at least not with sophomore middle blocker Alex Muff and freshman middle blocker Kaitlynn Pelger. Muff put herself into third place in the conference for blocks per game at 1.35, and Pelger rounds out the top 10 with 1.09. Muff said she was not worried playing against Texas A&M's Black.

"I think that, with every team, our coaches really prepare us a lot to know how a hitter hits, where their tendencies are, what percentage of the time they get the ball," Muff said. "And so that really helps us as blockers and back-row defenders to know what we need to expect and be ready."

If the attack should pass by the blockers, K-State's second line of defense is in good hands and more than capable of handling any fireballs. At last Tuesday's match, senior libero Lauren Mathewson moved into third place for her school in career digs with 1,462, only 117 away from second. For Saturday's match, Muff said she was optimistic.

"I think we have a pretty good chance against A&M," Muff said. "I think we need to go in open-minded and be prepared and know that they are a good team and not underestimate them."

First serve is set for 6:30 p.m in Reed Arena. Fans not able to attend can follow the match on kstatesports.com.