For the second straight match, K-State went to a fifth set to see which team was going to be the victor. Unlike on Wednesday, the Wildcats were not able to get the victory. (21-25, 22-25, 25-18, 25-14, 13-15). Up to this match, K-State has been undefeated in matches that went to a fifth set.
After dominating the Baylor Bears in Manhattan earlier in the year in straight sets, the Wildcats were not able to get off to that kind of start.
In the first set, Baylor was able to get off to a quick start as they went on three mini-runs that gave them a comfortable lead. However, as the Wildcats have shown all year, they would not going to go down without a fight.
The Wildcats went on two runs of their own, including a seven to two run that pulled the Wildcats within two. However, after a timeout, the Bears would go on to score the last two points of the set to get the first set victory.
K-State got off to a good start in the second set as they held a 10-7 lead. However, the Bears went on a six-point run to take their own three-point lead. After the Wildcats battled back to tie the score, the Bears used two big runs to go up five points. K-State was never able to get the score back under two points and the Bears went to intermission with a two set lead.
Whatever was said in the locker room seemed to work as the Wildcats came out strong in the third set. The two teams battled early, but the Wildcats were able to stretch a two-point lead out to five and went on to win the set and get back in the match.
The fourth set was all Wildcats as they were able to hold the Bears to one point on their own serve. K-State got off to a quick lead and Baylor never threatened in the set as the Wildcats won, setting up the pivotal fifth set.
The Wildcats got off to a quick start in the fifth set, scoring the first three points. Baylor, however, responded with a three-point run of their own to take a two-point lead. Neither team was able to get a run going the rest of the match and the Bears were able to escape with a 15-13 win in the set to win the match.
With the loss, the Wildcats dropped to (16-8, 5-5) on the season. The Wildcats are off for a week as they have time to prepare for a match-up with Texas A&M. The Wildcats are right behind the Aggies in the conference standings, so this will be a very important game. First serve is set for Saturday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. at Ahearn Field House.