Oct. 18, 2007
Box Score
LAWRENCE, Kan. - Inclement weather in the Lawrence area forced Baylor into an unexpected landing in Manhattan, Kan., but the Bears rallied to defeat Kansas 3-2 (30-24, 26-30, 28-30, 30-26, 15-11) on Wednesday night.
Thunderstorms in eastern Kansas delayed Baylor's departure time from Waco by three hours. Once the Bears neared Lawrence, pilots determined that landing would be dangerous and instead landed in nearby Manhattan. With the match start time delayed until 7:30 p.m., Baylor began the 90 mile drive at 5:30 p.m.
The Bears arrived at the arena with 45 minutes showing on the scoreboard clock and completed an abbreviated warm-up before game time.
"I looked at our assistant coaches before the match and said, `I guess we will find out how tough we are,'" said head coach Jim Barnes. "I am very proud of our team. I thought that was one of our best matches of the season."
Katie Sanders (Katy, Texas) tallied a match-high 18 kills as Baylor placed four players in double-figure kills. Haley Thomas (Jewett, Texas) recorded a career-high 15 kills, while Anna Breyfogle (Buda, Texas) and Ashlie Christenson (Cleburne, Texas) added 14 and 13 kills, respectively.
"We keep telling the team that we are at our best when we have four or five players in double-figure kills," said Barnes. "We spread the ball around and really had some key players step up. I thought Haley (Thomas) and Amanda (Modglin) both had great games for us tonight and that's what we needed to win."
Taylor Barnes (Arlington, Texas) registered 60 set assists and added nine digs for Baylor.
"I thought that this was one of Taylor's best games ever," said Barnes. "She kept playing well even when we were struggling. She really led the team on the court tonight."
Sarah Grace (Houston, Texas) tallied 18 digs to lead the Baylor defense, while Sanders and Kristen Schramek (San Antonio, Texas) recorded 12 and 10 digs apiece.
Breyfogle led a strong net defense with nine total blocks, while Sanders tallied five blocks and Thomas recorded four blocks.
"We had a lot of blocks tonight that won't show up on the stat sheet," said Barnes. "Kansas did a great job of covering for their attackers, but we got some really key blocks in game four that helped push us through."
Emily Brown led the way for Kansas, recording her fourth triple-double of the season. The setter/outside hitter recorded 14 kills, 14 digs and 27 set assists to lead the Jayhawks. Natalie Uhart and Flavia Lino each tallied 12 kills.
This marks the second five-game match that Baylor has won during Big 12 play. On Sept. 19, Baylor rallied from a 2-1 deficit, including 14-12 in game five, to defeat Colorado 3-2 in Boulder.
Baylor (10-10, 3-7 Big 12) got out to a quick start in game one, recorded 17 kills against just six errors on its way to hitting .297 to earn a 30-24 win.
Hitting errors plagued the Bears in games two and three as Baylor committed nine kills in each game, with Kansas taking a two games to one lead.
Baylor recorded 19 kills and only five errors in game four, hitting .333 to force a deciding game five. In the final game, the Bears jumped out early and held on to win the match 15-11 in game five.
Baylor returns to action on Saturday as the Bears play host to Colorado at 6:30 p.m. at the Ferrell Center. The live audio broadcast will begin at 6:20 p.m. on BaylorBears.com.
