The Kansas State volleyball team (13-8, 10-6) concluded its regular season on Wednesday, falling in straight sets to No. 6 Baylor. The nationally-ranked Bears won the match 26-24, 25-14, 25-23.
The loss ended the Wildcats’ spring portion of its volleyball schedule. In the spring, K-State went 3-2 in matches played – including one win coming against Division-II opponent Wayne State. The team did snag its first ranked win of the season against No. 24 Creighton last week.
On Wednesday, K-State looked for one last resume-boosting win that would pop for the NCAA Tournament selection committee but was unable to surge for another upset.
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K-State put up a fight in two of the three sets played against the Bears, largely thanks to a full team effort and mistakes from Baylor. Neither team got into a groove offensively with K-State hitting a low .124 for the match. The Bears were also below .300 and .257 hitting.
The Wildcats saw hope in the first set, going back and forth up until the set loss. In the first set, the two teams swapped leads seven times and were tied on 18 different occasions.
Baylor controlled the match at the net with 10 blocks.
Individually, the Wildcats were led by freshmen Aliyah Carter, Jayden Nembhard and Kadye Fernholz who each tallied nine kills apiece. Carter, the offensive power on the team, struggled in Waco, hitting -.049 for the match with 11 attack errors. Freshman Mackenzie Morris led the way defensively with 12 digs.
The Bears were led by Yossiana Pressley and Lauren Harrison who each had 13 kills.
K-State now awaits postseason play and a possible NCAA Tournament selection appearance. After placing third in the Big 12 Conference, the Wildcats will need to get an at-large bid for a postseason birth in the 48-team field.
The NCAA will release NCAA Tournament participants on Sunday, April 4.
