LINCOLN, Neb. — A packed Bob Devaney Sports Center brought high energy, competitive drive and emotion to a matchup between Kansas State and No. 1 Nebraska on Saturday.
K-State lost to Nebraska in three sets, 17-25, 21-25, 16-25, despite several strong momentum swings from the Wildcats.
In the first set, K-State narrowed the gap with blocks from Shaylee Myers and Jordyn Williams and an ace from Emerson Van Lannen, but an attack error ended the set 25-17 in Nebraska’s favor.
“[I’m] really proud of our team and just the fight that we had in all three sets,” K-State head coach Jason Mansfield said. “I felt like we battled with them for a while, and we couldn’t sustain it, but just really proud of this team and what we accomplished this season.”
The Wildcats briefly held a lead in the second set after a kill from Brenna Schmidt, yet Nebraska regained control at 12-10 and maintained it. At a media timeout, the Huskers lead 15-13 when the Wildcats battled hard, getting the deficit to two late. Despite K-State’s effort, the Huskers came out on top, 25-21.
K-State opened strong in the third set, opening with a 4-0 run and leading 5-3 before the Huskers’ Virginia Adriano laid down a kill. Nebraska built off the hometown energy and pulled ahead 15-10. Holding off the Huskers from match point, Jordyn Williams had a late kill, but Nebraska sealed the sweep shortly after with a kill from Taylor Landfair.
As lineups were announced at the start of the match, the sea of red applauded for the Nebraskans on the ‘Cats roster. This simple act showed that, despite the difference in teams, fans supported their natives.
One Wildcat that was cheered for was senior setter Ava LeGrand. LeGrand is from Papillion, Neb., and a key component to this year’s team.
“It’s come full circle,” LeGrand said. “I had such a great cheering section, so many friends and family. It was so awesome to see them all out there. But also, Bob Devaney is a special place. Growing up in Nebraska, it’s a volleyball state, can’t deny that at all. Hearing them [the fans] cheer for all of us Nebraska girls, that was pretty awesome.”
Leading the team in digs for the evening, LeGrand pulled up nine along with 19 assists and four kills. The duo of Symone Sims and Myers each had six digs, with Myers also putting down six kills. Anyia Clinton attributed seven kills, five digs and three blocks.
K-State finished its season at 18-10 overall and 10-8 in Big 12 play. For the first time since 2016, the Wildcats advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, making the program’s 12th overall appearance in the round.
“I think this is kind of where we want our program to be,” Clinton said, tears rolling down her face. “We don’t want it to stop here. I think we’ve done a really good job as seniors in leading. So I hope that the next class of seniors continues to follow in our footsteps and lead.”
The seniors on this K-State roster have made an abundant impact during their time in the Wildcats jersey.
“They’ve been special,” Mansfield said. “We talked about it all the way back in January that I felt like this team was going to take this program to a different place, and the seniors were going to lead us in that direction. I think they were really urgent this whole season, and trying to get us to this place. So, really proud of them, and they’ll be remembered forever.”
