Wildcats Clinch Thrilling Five-Set Victory to Conclude Non-Conference Season – Kansas State University Athletics

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The K-State Wildcats celebrated a thrilling five-set win over East Carolina, kicking off a promising season under Coach Jason Mansfield. With a final score of 25-20, 21-25, 15-25, 25-22, 15-10, K-State (7-1) showed resilience, coming back strong after a tough third set. This victory marked their best start in Coach Mansfield’s tenure.

The match was filled with excitement, featuring 37 ties and 14 lead changes. K-State heads into Big 12 play with momentum, riding a three-match winning streak, while ECU dropped to 8-2.

Senior outside hitter Shaylee Myers was the star of the night, leading all players with 23 kills—her fourth match with 20 or more this season. Aniya Clinton closely followed with 21 kills, marking her first game this year with a 20-kill performance. Reagan Fox contributed 10 kills, adding to the team’s offensive strength.

Setter Ava LeGrand played a crucial role, notching a career-high 49 assists and 22 digs. This was her fifth career double-double. Symone Sims also had a standout performance, achieving her first career match with over 20 digs, finishing at 21.

Coach’s Thoughts
Mansfield commended his team’s grit. “We needed to battle after being down 1-2,” he said. He emphasized how the defense turned the tide in the final two sets, helping to rally the Wildcats. He also highlighted their goal of being battle-tested before entering Big 12 play.

Match Highlights
In the first set, K-State dominated with a .400 hitting efficiency, driven by five kills each from Myers and Clinton. However, ECU fought back in the second and third sets, limiting K-State’s scoring.

The Wildcats regrouped in the fourth set, surging ahead thanks to crucial kills from Myers. They carried that momentum into the decisive fifth set, hitting a stellar .550 without errors.

Looking Ahead
K-State’s strong performance is promising as they prepare to face Arizona (6-3) and No. 8 Arizona State (7-2) next weekend. The Wildcats are eager to continue their momentum in Big 12 play.

Interesting Fact
This match marked the first meeting between K-State and East Carolina in program history—a notable milestone.

K-State’s impressive start has sparked excitement among fans, with the team showcasing depth and determination. The Wildcats aim to build on this success as they take on tougher conference opponents. For more on women’s volleyball stats and trends, check out the NCAA website for the latest updates on rankings and player performances.

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