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Baylor (14-8, 2-6 Big 12) vs. No. 9 Kansas(20-1, 8-1 Big 12) October 31, 2015 | 11:30 a.m. CT Lawrence, Kansas | Horejsi Family Athletics Center (1,300) TV: ESPN3 & WatchESPN App Watch | Listen | Live Stats | Baylor Match Notes

WACO, Texas - The Baylor volleyball team (14-8, 2-6 Big 12) heads north for a Saturday morning match with 10th-ranked Kansas (20-1, 8-1 Big 12) on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 11:30 a.m. CT in Lawrence.

After a disappointing loss at home to Iowa State, the Bears could grab a statement upset over the Jayhawks, ending a five-match losing streak to Kansas.

Despite the recent resurgence of the KU program, Baylor hangs on to a slim 22-20 all-time series lead. The Bears and Jayhawks faced off three weeks ago in Waco, with the Jayhawks getting a four-set victory.

Kansas holds the advantage in Lawrence, leading the all-time series 8-13, including a three-set victory on Nov. 5 last season.

In the last meeting, the Bears handed KU its worst set loss of the year, taking the second set 25-13.

Fans can listen to Baylor's Internet radio broadcast on BaylorBears.com/AllAccess. Keep up with the team all season long by following Baylor Volleyball on the team's official Twitter page, @BaylorVball.

MATCH INFO:
Sunday, Oct. 31, 2015, 11:30 a.m.
Lawrence, Kansas
Horejsi Family Athletics Center (1,300)
TV: ESPN3 & WatchESPN App
BU Audio: BaylorBears.com/AllAccess
Live Stats: KUAthletics.com

BAYLOR BEARS
2015 Record: 14-8
2015 Big 12 Record: 2-6
Head Coach: Ryan McGuyre (1st season)
All-Time Record vs. KANSAS: 22-20 (last meeting, four-set loss, 10/14/15)
All-Time Record vs. KANSAS in Lawrence: 8-13 (last meeting, three-set loss, 11/5/14)

KANSAS JAYHAWKS
2015 Record: 20-1
2015 Big 12 Record: 8-1
Head Coach: Ray Bechard (18th season)

-BU-

While the Baylor volleyball team won only two matches in the first round of Big 12 play, the attitude of the team certainly doesn't reflect it.

Baylor (14-8, 2-6 Big 12) faces 10th-ranked Kansas on the road at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in what could be a pivotal point in the season. The Bears look to rebound after a disappointing performance against Iowa State on Sunday, first-year head coach Ryan McGuyre said.

"Sunday was definitely the most disappointing match of the season, but we have no choice but to get out there and (rebound)," McGuyre said. "I've been really impressed with the girls' attitudes this week in practice. We're still getting better in the training, but the performance needs to replicate it."

McGuyre saw good things in the last meeting with the Jayhawks on Oct. 14, but if the team has a chance to beat the second-best team in the Big 12, the Bears will have to execute perfectly.

"We had some success with them here at home, and we thought there was some opportunities to pull off that match, so we're just trying to make sure we're maintaining what we did well, which was our serving and passing," McGuyre said. "We need to continue to improve blocking. Some of their hitters can really elevate, so it's about getting some good matchups. I think Tola (Itiola) needs to have another good match, and we're just adjusting where we align our defense around the block."

Baylor handed Kansas (20-1, 8-1 Big 12) its worst set loss after winning the second set 25-13 in Waco, but it wasn't enough as the Bears dropped the match in four sets. A lot of the damage can be attributed to the strong service game in the second set, sophomore libero Jana Brusek said.

"(In set two), we really took it from them, and our serves contributed to that a lot of that success," Brusek said. "When we eased up at the service line, that's definitely when the tables turned."

In the other three sets, Baylor could not gain any momentum heading back to the service line. The team is ready to turn things around in the second meeting with the Jayhawks, senior libero and defensive specialist Mackenzie Mayo said.

"We need to commit to tough serves because that is our first line of defense," Mayo said. "We can't give them any room to take advantage. If we give them an easy serve, then they're just going to shove it back in our face. We've just got to make sure that we're giving it our all."

As Baylor finishes out the regular season, the NCAA Tournament is still in question. If the Bears can finish Big 12 play strong, the team would make a strong case for a postseason run. In order to get there, Baylor has to have hope in the second half of conference play, and it starts with winning at home, Mayo said.

"We want to be a part of the crazy things that happen (in the Big 12)," Mayo said. "We want people to say, `Wow, where did Baylor come from?' Being at home so much is a huge motivation for us. Our fans have rallied behind us this year, so it's definitely motivation."

With Baylor sitting at the bottom half of the Big 12 standings heading into Saturday's match, the pressure is on for both the Bears and their opponents.

"Other teams are really underestimating us right now, and that's motivation in itself," Brusek said. "We can just blow them out of the water and come out of nowhere and make people ask, `What's gotten into Baylor this second half?'"

Saturday's match, held at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center in Lawrence, Kan., will be streamed online on ESPN3.