Kansas State volleyball was selected for the NCAA tournament, where they will travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, and face off against the University of San Diego in the opening round.
The Wildcats have had their best season yet under head coach Jason Mansfield, and K-State feels they can compete with anyone, having competed in the Big 12, which has 10 teams in the tournament.
The Wildcats are led by a group of seniors, who rank first in almost every statistical category this season. For nearly all of K-State’s players, this will be their first NCAA tournament appearance. Senior Jordyn Williams appeared in the tournament with Kentucky in both 2022 and 2023.
The Wildcats had a special season, and to continue it, they will need to bring their best game, especially with a tough draw in the first two rounds. These five things will be good to know before K-State starts the tournament.
#1 K-State vs the top 25
K-State has five ranked wins this season against top 25 opponents. In the Mansfield era, the Wildcats have 11 total wins overall and always seem to play up to the level of their competition.
Across the top 25 teams, K-State has seven total sweeps under Mansfield, which proves their ability to not only beat top teams but also dominate them.
San Diego, K-State’s first opponent, is not ranked at this time, but they are currently receiving votes, falling just outside the top 25. With it being an NCAA tournament game, the Wildcats understand they will see the best of San Diego and will need to come ready to play.
If K-State were to beat San Diego, they would most likely get the toughest-ranked test of them all, facing undefeated Nebraska. If the Wildcats want to advance deep into the tournament, the team will need a little more magic against the top-ranked teams.
#2 K-State on the road
This season, K-State’s road/neutral game record is 9-4, its best since 2014. The Wildcats are also just one of five Big 12 teams to have a winning record on the road this season.
In recent years, K-State has struggled on the road, but this year, it turned the corner and became one of the Big 12’s best road teams.
The matchup against San Diego will be a neutral-site contest, but if K-State and Nebraska were to both win, the Wildcats would have to face the ‘Huskers in what would be a true road environment.
The Wildcats will need to bring the same mentality they have had all season if they want to keep their season alive in Lincoln.
#3 Shaylee Meyers Dominance
K-State senior Shaylee Meyers has blown up this season and has become one of the best players in the Big 12. Meyers leads the conference in kills and ranks ninth overall in the nation.
Meyers was selected as a unanimous First Team All-Big 12 member, making her just the sixth Wildcat to earn unanimous first team honors.
Meyers is just three kills away from becoming the 20th player in K-State history with 1000 career kills. Meyers was also just selected by the Atlanta Vibe of Major League Volleyball, being selected 16th overall in the draft.
Meyers is a native of Lincoln, Nebraska, so she will be making her NCAA tournament debut in her hometown and will look to put on a show for the ‘Cats.
#4 K-State opening set
The Wildcats are 13-1 this season and have been impressive when they win the opening set of a match. While winning the opening set gives you a clear advantage in the match, K-State does a good job of putting the game away while ahead.
Getting out ahead early will be key in the first tournament game, as well as in any other tournament games the Wildcats may play in.
Whether playing the game in a gym with no energy or playing against a raucous crowd, winning the first set to gain energy and momentum will be important for K-State to capitalize on.
#5 Senior lead
K-State is very much led by its seniors, which is great going into an NCAA tournament. The Wildcats’ seniors lead in almost every statistical category and will need to do so again for K-State to succeed.
As mentioned earlier, Shaylee Meyers leads the team in addition to the Big 12 in kills, sitting with 466 on the season. Senior setter Ava LeGrand leads the team in assists with 995 and also paces the team in service aces with 29.
Senior Brenna Schmidt leads the team in blocks per set at 1.03, while senior Jordyn Williams leads the team in overall blocks with 91 and in hitting percentage at .327.
The Wildcats will face San Diego at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5th.
