SCORE: Kansas 3, UAlbany 0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-23)
 
LOCATION: Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena - Lawrence, Kan.
 
RECORDS: UAlbany 3-6, 0-0 America East | Kansas 5-3, 0-0 Big 12
 
SHORT STORY: The Great Danes battled against the Jayhawks but they were unable to take the host team at the Jayhawk Classic, Saturday.
 
COACH JOSH PICKARD: "This was a chance to test ourselves against quality opponents and I'm proud of the growth the team exhibited throughout the pre-conference tournaments. A lot of players stepped up and grew as we progressed, including Grace [Cozad] today. We have one more opportunity this week to test ourselves before the conference season and are looking forward to playing our midweek match."
 
KEY STATS

• Junior Kamara Kelly led with nine kills and finished second with six digs.
• Senior Charlotte Macken tallied a team-high 19 digs.
• Junior Malea Stanton and freshman Ellie Benedict each totaled two service aces. Stanton also led the team with 13 assists.
• Kelly and freshman Anissia Wong led the Great Dane middle blockers with five total blocks. 
• Senior Grace Cozad finished with a .400 hitting percentage.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Great Danes tallied the first two points of the match and the set remained back-and-forth throughout the first half.
• The Jayhawks gained a 17-11 lead with a five-point run and UAlbany was unable to come back as Kansas took the first set, 25-17.
• The second set was another close match with the Great Danes and the Jayhawks. Kansas gained a lead halfway through but UAlbany came back with a five-point run to bring the game within two (18-16 Jayhawk lead).
• The Great Danes gained a 23-21 lead with six straight points but Kansas tallied the win, 25-23.
• The Jayhawks earned a quick 3-0 lead in the third set but UAlbany came back to tie the score at six. 
• Kansas tallied a six-point run to gain a significant lead but the Great Danes came back with their own five-point run. This pattern continued throughout the continuation of the third set but the Jayhawks were able to keep their lead and take the match.

 
NEXT: The Great Danes return home to host Siena on Wednesday, Sept. 22, for a mid-week match before starting conference play on Sunday.

For more information on the University at Albany volleyball team, follow the squad's official social media accounts shown below.
Twitter - @ualbanyvb
Instagram - @ualbanyvb
Facebook – facebook.com/UAlbanyVB