Wildcats Sweep Wayne State for Third Straight Win

MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State freshman Aliyah Carter logged her second consecutive 20-kill performance while the defense recorded 12 blocks in K-State's straight-set victory over Wayne State Sunday at Bramlage Coliseum, 25-23, 25-23, 25-19.

Carter turned in 22 of the Wildcats' (13-7, 10-6 Big 12) 45 kills in the sweep, hitting .288 in her sixth match this season reaching the 20-kill plateau. Brynn Carlson and Kadye Fernholz each chipped in six kills while Megan Vernon added five in the Cats' third straight victory.

"I liked our defensive effort," head coach Suzie Fritz said. "One of our goals going into it was feeling like we knew they were going to attack the high edges of the block. That turned out to be pretty accurate in addition to mixing in some off-speed stuff. I thought from that perspective, just defensively, we did a nice job of being on task. We were able to generate productive touches at the net and, for the most part, handled the off-speed stuff in a way that allowed us an opportunity to get a swing."

The Cats limited Wayne State to 29 kills at an .083 clip behind a dozen team blocks and 61 digs. Vernon carded a team-high six blocks while Fernholz picked up five and Holly Bonde had four.

K-State's 12 total blocks was its highest total over the last 16 outings while the .083 hitting percentage was its lowest allowed this season.

Freshman libero Mackenzie Morris paced the back row with 22 digs, just two shy of matching her career high. Morris, who has played every set as the Wildcat libero, has led the team in digs in all 20 matches this season and eclipsed the 20-dig mark for the sixth time.

"I can remember several plays from the match where a back-row effort play really sparked the momentum that was needed," added Fritz. "All of the liberos and Carter playing back there. Morris really did a nice job. There are a lot of ways to dig it. Sometimes you have to go to the floor to do it."

WSC hit below .100 in the first and third sets and reached a .161 efficiency in the second set. The Cats recorded 11 of their 12 blocks in the opening and final frames.

Carter picked up seven kills in the first set while Morris registered a dozen digs. K-State used a six-point scoring run to open an 18-11 lead as the Wildcats possessed the lead throughout the stanza. Shelby Martin handed out 15 assists as K-State tallied 17 kills. Fernholz tallied three blocks.

The second set saw seven more kills from Carter. Wayne State battled from a five-point deficit to tie the score at 18 in the latter stages before K-State rattled off four straight points. The Cats served up four aces, including two by Morris.

K-State ended the match on a five-point burst that included three blocks by Vernon. The Cats totaled six blocks and 25 digs in the set, eight coming from Morris. Carter closed the match with eight kills on 17 swings with one error, hitting .412 in the third.

Martin ended the day with 23 assists, two digs and two blocks. Fellow setter Teana Adams-Kaonohi dished out 14 assists with an ace and a block.

Loren Hinkle and Dru Kuck both added eight digs while Smith and Carter ended with six digs.

Wayne State was led by Alyssa Ballenger's 10 kills. Maddie Duffy turned in a team-best 17 digs while Kelsie Cada posted a dozen.

Taya Beller and Jaci Brahmer led WSC's defense with five blocks apiece.

K-State wraps up its regular season with a non-conference contest at No. 6 Baylor on Wednesday. The match will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and is set for a 2 p.m. start. 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 .173 (45 kills, 12 errors, 133 attacks).
Wayne State hit .083 (29 kills, 19 errors, 120 attacks).
The .083 hitting efficiency and marked a season low for a K-State opponent.
K-State's 12 blocks were its most over its last 16 matches.
Carter turned in her second straight match with 20 or more kills and sixth of the season.
Morris had a match-best 22 digs for her fifth 20-dig outing.
Morris has led K-State in digs in all 20 matches this year.
Morris produced a team-high three aces.
As a team, K-State served up eight aces.
Martin handed out 23 assists while Adams-Kaonohi added 14.
Vernon had a team-best six blocks and Fernholz chipped in five.

NOTES

The match was the first-ever meeting between K-State and Wayne State.
It was the Wildcats' first match against a Division II opponent since 1992.
K-State has won its last three matches.

CATS WIN! #KStateVB pic.twitter.com/t3Y008T5gv
— K-State Volleyball (@KStateVB) March 28, 2021

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Team Stats

Aliyah Carter

Brynn Carlson

Kadye Fernholz

Megan Vernon

Players Mentioned

Teana Adams-Kaonohi

Holly Bonde

Brynn Carlson

Aliyah Carter

Kadye Fernholz

Loren Hinkle

Dru Kuck

Shelby Martin

Mackenzie Morris

Megan Vernon

Players Mentioned

Teana Adams-Kaonohi

Holly Bonde

Brynn Carlson

Aliyah Carter

Kadye Fernholz

Loren Hinkle

Dru Kuck

Shelby Martin

Mackenzie Morris

Megan Vernon

Kansas State University Athletics