Momentum for Kansas State volleyball continues after taking down TCU 3-2 in the second of two matches Friday. Traveling to Morgantown, the Wildcats took down West Virginia in a competitive sweep.
The first set of the match stayed a nail-biter throughout. The Mountaineers gained leads of three a few times in the first half of the set but play tightened near the end. Tied 24-24, West Virginia earned a kill point to give themselves a set point.
The Wildcats responded with a kill from outside hitter Shaylee Myers, collecting her third of team-high 11 kills on the night. A kill from outside hitter Aliyah Carter followed by a service ace from middle blocker Sydney Bolding gave K-State the first set 27-25.
Related:
Volleyball manages down-to-the-wire victory against TCU
Set 2 repeated the theme of a close first half of the set. It wasn’t until K-State went up 13-12 that separation began. Five straight points featuring four kills and a Carter ace put the Wildcats up six, the largest lead of the match to that point. West Virginia tried to mount a comeback but only came as close to four with setter Izzi Szulczewski assisting Carter on a set-clinching kill.
The final set of the match had a different tone than the first two. The third set featured multiple runs, including five-straight points from the Mountaineers to go up 7-5. The Wildcats scored three straight in response and never went down again. Late kills from Myers, Bolding and outside hitter Brenna Schmidt sealed the deal for the Wildcats for the sweep, winning the third set 25-20.
The Wildcats won through a team effort, with five members earning six or more kills and setters Szulczewski and Loren Hinkle combining for 39 assists.
The Wildcats return home with an 8-4 record as Big 12 play continues against Cincinnati at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Morgan Family Arena.
