Through the Phog
Fansided

Revenge match ahead for Kansas volleyball

By Stan Unruh

DALLAS - MARCH 12: A member of the Kansas Jayhawks band shows his support with a Jayhawk sticker on his forehead prior to the start of the game against the Texas Longhorns during the final of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship Tournament at American Airlines Arena on March 12, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. Kansas defeated Texas 80-68. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS - MARCH 12: A member of the Kansas Jayhawks band shows his support with a Jayhawk sticker on his forehead prior to the start of the game against the Texas Longhorns during the final of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship Tournament at American Airlines Arena on March 12, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. Kansas defeated Texas 80-68. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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The nationally ranked Kansas volleyball team has a big weekend ahead at Horejsi  Center. They hope to gain some revenge for a painful loss.

The Kansas volleyball team may not say it but Ray Bechard and his Jayhawk volleyball team still feel the sting.  The 2016 Big 12 Champs were destined for another trip to the final four. The team riding a 15-match winning streak knew they could improve upon the amazing 2015 finish. As a matter of fact, the #5 ranked Jayhawks were Bechard’s best team ever.

That is why the pain still stings. The 21st ranked Creighton Bluejays ended the incredible Kansas volleyball run in round two of the NCAA tournament.  I was busy on a project that night in early December but the twitter feed on my phone got quite a workout as the contest went past the wild and dramatic first to 15 point fifth set.  I wondered if the contest would ever end.

It did and not the way we wanted. This weekend, Kansas volleyball team can enact a little revenge for Creighton ending the Jayhawk’s bid for a return to the final four. The #7 ranked Jayhawks are off to an incredible start to the season. I didn’t expect any less. On the other hand, I didn’t expect them to blow #13 Kentucky out of the gym last weekend.

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Creighton, by virtue of their strong finish last season, is also ranked among the nation’s top-ten. Bechard’s Jayhawks are riding the strong play of Kelsie Payne, the current Big 12 conference player of the week. Payne, Madison Rigdon, Jada Burse and Taylor Alexander all should be recognized for the sweep of Kentucky. If they do on Saturday night what they did in the home opener, look out. This 2017 team could be Bechard’s best.

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