Sioux Falls, S.D. – Kansas pushed No. 2 Penn State to the brink in a thrilling five-set match, ultimately falling 15-12 in the decisive frame. The Jayhawks stayed competitive throughout, led by Selena Leban, who recorded 20 kills, and Rhian Swanson, who added 18. Setter Katie Dalton made her first career start and quickly made an impact, tallying 54 assists and 13 attacks.
“This was a much better brand of volleyball for us,” said coach Matt Ulmer. “Although we didn’t get the result we wanted, Kansas is a team that can do something in December. With this type of effort and this type of attitude, we can be who we want to be.”
Kansas opened the first set with Dalton distributing effectively, assisting Jovana Zelenovic on the Jayhawks’ first kill before notching back-to-back kills of her own. Dalton continued to spread the offense, setting up both Ptacek and Zelenovic, while Ptacek and Leban combined for a block at the net. Kansas built a 10-7 lead at the media timeout.
Out of the timeout, the Jayhawks extended the lead behind more connections between Dalton and Zelenovic, who put down two straight kills to make it 17-12. Dalton kept distributing with assists to Aisha Aiono and Swanson as Kansas continued to control the frame. Ptacek added a service ace during the run, and the Jayhawks stayed in front 17-13. The Nittany Lions turned things around and grabbed a one-point advantage, but Dalton came up clutch, putting away a kill to even the score at 20-20 as the set tightened down the stretch. The teams traded points with two more ties before Penn State pulled ahead 24-22 and converted set point to close the frame 25-22.
In the second set, both teams traded points early, with Penn State holding a 5-4 edge before Kansas tied it on a kill from Swanson. Swanson followed with another to give the Jayhawks their first lead at 6-5, and Kansas carried the momentum to build a 10-6 advantage heading into the media timeout. Logan Bell delivered an ace to push Kansas ahead 13-8, and the Jayhawks extended their lead to 16-10 after a hustle play from the entire lineup secured a well-earned point. Penn State was able to climb out of their deficit and tie the set 19-19 after an attack error. The set went down to the wire with ties at 20, 21, and 22 before Penn State reached set point at 24-23. Kansas answered with a block from Leban and Ptacek to even it, then closed with kills from Ptacek and Heidi Devers to complete a 26-24 comeback and even the match at one set apiece.
During the third set, both teams stayed on their toes, trading points early as kills from Zelenovic and Leban kept Kansas close. With the score tied at 4-4, the Jayhawks sparked a run behind kills from Leban plus a block from Ptacek and Zelenovic to pull ahead 8-6. Swanson then added a kill, stretching Kansas’ led to 13-8 and capping a 9-4 scoring burst that gave the Jayhawks control midway through the frame. Leban added a service ace to give Kansas a commanding 16-11 lead, and Penn State called a timeout after Swanson recorded her 10th kill of the night, pushing the score to 18-13. The Jayhawks maintained control of the set, built a seven-point lead, and reached match point before Leban delivered the final kill to win the set 26-25.
The fourth set was a back-and-forth battle from start to finish. Kansas stayed competitive early with Zelenovic, Swanson, and Leban delivering crucial kills, while Penn State responded with points from Maggie Mendelson, Kennedy Martin, and Jordan Hopp. Both teams exchanged leads through the middle of the set, with several ties at 16-16 and 20-20. Kansas earned a brief edge behind a scoring run sparked by Leban’s service and Swanson’s offensive contributions, but Penn State continued to fight back, keeping the set neck-and-neck.
As the set reached its height, the teams traded multiple points in dramatic fashion, tying at 25-25, 26-26, and 27-27. Key kills from Zelenovic, Swanson, and Ava Falduto kept Kansas in contention, but Penn State answered with kills from Katie Dalton, Ryan White, and a service ace by Gillian Grimes. Ultimately, Penn State pulled ahead and closed out the set 30-28, taking the victory and forcing a fifth set.
The fifth stayed relatively close throughout. Kansas was able to jump out to a quick lead. The intensity remained high, with timely substitutions energizing both teams. Kill after kill kept the score tight, as Kansas held a narrow 5-4 lead before Penn State rallied to tie it at 6-6. Both teams committed errors on attack and serve, but crucial points from Swanson, Zelenovic, and Hopp helped maintain momentum. Kansas managed to build a slim lead, yet Penn State responded with key kills from Martin, Sellman, and White. Timeouts were used strategically as both coaches sought to shift the momentum in the decisive set. The Nittany Lions gradually pulled ahead, taking a 12-9 lead, and despite Kansas closing the gap to 12-13, Penn State ultimately secured the set and match with a 15-12 victory.