LAWRENCE, Kan. (4/2/20) – In its spring opener, the Arkansas State volleyball team battled back after a tough first set, but ultimately dropped a 3-0 decision at Kansas Friday afternoon at Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena.

Paulina Sobolewska led the Red Wolves (8-9) with nine kills and hit .304 on the day while Tatum Ticknor notched nine digs. Caroline Crawford paced the Jayhawks (11-10) with 12 kills on 16 attacks and five blocks, helping Kansas to a .315 attack percentage.

Kansas surged out to an early 7-1 lead in the opening set before A-State cut it to 7-3. The Jayhawks then cruised to a 25-12 win in the first to lead 1-0 in the match.

The second set was much more back-and-forth, featuring eight ties and five lead changes. A kill by Madison Brown made it 10-8 before the Jayhawks went on a 6-0 run to reclaim the lead at 14-10. After an ace made it 23-15 Kansas, the Red Wolves battled back to cut it to 23-19. A service error gave KU set point, but another kill by Brown kept the set going before the Jayhawks took a 2-0 lead in the match with a 25-20 margin in the second set.

Kansas led 3-0 early in the third, but A-State would keep it close after an ace by Julianna Cramer made it 9-7 Jayhawks. The Jayhawks would lead by as much as 10 in the set at 23-13 before the Red Wolves notched three straight kills to make it 23-16. Kansas took the next two points to take the match with a 25-16 third-set decision.

NEXT UP

A-State concludes the two-match weekend series at 1 p.m. Saturday, taking on the Jayhawks. Live stats can be followed at AStateStats.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

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