Carter, K-State Romp No. 24 Bluejays Saturday

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Freshman Aliyah Carter knocked down 26 kills while hitting .449 to power K-State to a four-set victory over 24^th-ranked Creighton Saturday night at Bramlage Coliseum, 25-15, 21-25, 25-21, 25-19.

Carter's 26 kills were one shy of her Wildcat freshman record (27), as she helped K-State (12-7, 10-6 Big 12) pick up its first victory over a ranked team since 2018. The Cats' .392 team hitting percentage marked the team's second-highest efficiency in a four-set match in program history.

"I think that's a big win for us.," said head coach Suzie Fritz. "We're thrilled, both in terms of the outcome and the productivity. That's a really good volleyball team. They are not at 100 percent, so we caught a bit of a break. They were missing a couple of key outside hitters. I thought the personnel they brought in was still effective and did a nice job. That's a really big block to contend with. To hit .392 against a good Creighton team is a good start for us.

"That match was kind of the start of something special. You hope you're peaking when it matters the most, and I think we're feeling like we're on a good trajectory in terms of improvement right now."

Carter was just shy of matching her career-high efficiency rate (.450), as she turned in her fifth 20-kill outing of the year. The Dubuque, Iowa, native now owns the top three kill totals by a freshman in K-State history.

"The back row was calling out shots for me that they knew were open," Carter said. "Shelby (Martin) was giving me a good ball. The main thing that really helped me in getting such a good hitting percentage was that my teammates were always covering me. Without them, I would not have done as well."
Playing six rotations for the third consecutive match, Carter added nine digs and an ace.

"I think the thing I'm most pleased with is how Aliyah's all-around game is coming along," Fritz added. "We this spring have started to ask more of her in terms of her responsibilities. Sometimes when you start to ask more and they take on other responsibilities, other things suffer. In her case, every time she has an opportunity to go, we see her growing as a complete volleyball player."

Four Wildcats hit.375 or better, including three north of .400 in Megan Vernon (.500), Carter (.449) and Kadye Fernholz (.438). The .392 team efficiency was the highest since posting a .420 mark in 2016.

Freshman Jayden Nembhard finished the night with 11 kills while hitting .375, while Holly Bonde chipped in nine kills. K-State owned a 63-50 advantage in total kill production.

Carter logged seven kills without an error on 11 swings in the opening set, hitting .636. Nembhard added four kills on nine attacks. A 10-3 Wildcat run midway through the first frame opened a nine-point advantage. K-State hit .500 in set one while holding Creighton to .241.

The Bluejays (8-3, 5-1 Big East) stole the second set with a match-best 16 kills, seven coming from Erica Kostelac. Nembhard turned in a team-high four kills. A five-point CU run sparked a 14-5 closing rally from the Bluejays.

K-State responded by producing its most efficient set in the third, .538, recording 16 kills with only two errors. Carter logged six kills on eight attacks while Fernholz added three kills. The Cats never trailed in the third, scoring eight of the game's first 10 points.

The Cats again led from start to finish in the night's finale frame. Carter added 11 kills in the fourth, needing just 20 swings for a .450 clip. K-State tallied 19 kills in the set, hitting .333. Behind 20 team digs, including seven from Jacque Smith, Creighton managed just a .171 hitting percentage.

Smith ended the night with 12 digs while libero Mackenzie Morris had a match-high 17. Morris has led K-State in digs in all 19 matches this season.

K-State registered seven service aces, with two apiece from Fernholz and Smith.

Martin dished out 56 assists for her third 50-assist match as a Wildcat.

Creighton was led by Emily Bressman and Kostelac, who each tallied 14 kills. Libero Ellie Bolton led the Bluejays with 14 digs.

K-State snapped CU's four-match winning streak while breaking a stretch of nine straight losses to ranked opponents.

K-State will host Wayne State (Neb.) Sunday, March 28 in its spring home finale. The match will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Fans can also listen to Rob Voelker call the action on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM) and at K-StateSports.com/watch.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

K-State hit .392 (63 kills, 12 errors, 130 attacks).
Creighton hit .226 (50 kills, 20 errors, 133 attacks).
K-State's .392 hitting percentage is its second-high total in a four-set match in program history.
K-State had three players hit over .400 and four over .300 in the match.
Carter had a match-high 26 kills with just four errors for a .449 hitting percentage.
Carter's 26 kills were one off her season-best (27 vs. Texas State on March 4).
Carter now owns the top three kill totals by a freshman in program history.
Carter now has five 20-kill performances this season.
Carter's .449 attack percentage was her second highest this season (.450 at Kansas on Oct. 29).
Nembhard also reached double figures with 11 kills.
Fernholz had eight kills at a .438 clip.
Vernon had six kills on 10 attempts with a .500 hitting percentage.
Bonde added nine kills.
Morris had a match-high 17 digs.
Smith also reached double figures in digs with 12.
Martin handed out 56 assists to go with eight digs.
K-State had seven service aces in the win.
Kostelac and Bressman each had 14 kills for Creighton.

NOTES

K-State holds an 8-4 advantage in the series against Creighton.
K-State snapped Creighton's season-long four-match winning streak.
It was the first road loss of the season for Creighton.
K-State has now won the last seven home meetings against the Bluejays.
Fritz is 5-1 against Creighton in her career.
K-State is 13-6 against current Big East teams.
Morris has led K-State in digs in every match this season.

Cats Win 😼#KStateVB pic.twitter.com/cmcTb6dy4D
— K-State Volleyball (@KStateVB) March 21, 2021

All 💜

🏐 @_MeganVrn x @AbigailA15 🏐#KStateVB pic.twitter.com/nuql3HgmW5
— K-State Volleyball (@KStateVB) March 21, 2021

Don't get it twisted, she's really good. Carter with 23 kills & 9 digs #KStateVB 19 - Creighton 12 | Set 4 pic.twitter.com/DszUEaCE0c
— K-State Volleyball (@KStateVB) March 21, 2021

Carter continues to crush (14 kills) #KStateVB 21 - Creighton 18 | Set 3 pic.twitter.com/IT0uPhLQ2n
— K-State Volleyball (@KStateVB) March 21, 2021

'Cats continue their 🔥 attack (.467 hit %), Carter with 8 kills #KStateVB 9 - Creighton 5 | Set 2 pic.twitter.com/yzrE75b0Zw
— K-State Volleyball (@KStateVB) March 20, 2021

'Cats 😻#KStateVB pic.twitter.com/0OsnDXvwYN
— K-State Volleyball (@KStateVB) March 20, 2021

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Team Stats

Aliyah Carter

Jayden Nembhard

Holly Bonde

Kadye Fernholz

Players Mentioned

Holly Bonde

Aliyah Carter

Kadye Fernholz

Mackenzie Morris

Jayden Nembhard

Jacque Smith

Megan Vernon

Players Mentioned

Holly Bonde

Aliyah Carter

Kadye Fernholz

Mackenzie Morris

Jayden Nembhard

Jacque Smith

Megan Vernon

Kansas State University Athletics