vs.

Baylor (11-2, 0-0 Big 12) at Kansas State (8-5, 0-1 Big 12) September 24, 2015 | 7 p.m. CT Manhattan, Kansas | Ahearn Field House (5,000) Listen | Live Stats | Baylor Match Notes

WACO, Texas - The Baylor volleyball team (11-2) heads north to open Big 12 play against the Kansas State Wildcats (8-5) Saturday at 7 p.m. in Manhattan, Kansas.

Baylor closed out nonconference play on the road with a commanding 3-1 win over North Texas, hoping to build momentum into this weekend's match with KSU.

Highlighted by a 17-kill outing from senior Andie Malloy and a dominating 9-block performance from Tola Itiola, the Bears dropped only their fourth set out of their last six matches.

Baylor trails 13-26 in the all-time series with the Wildcats, with KSU taking their last meeting on Nov. 15, 2014 in five sets in Waco. The Bears split the season series last year, taking a five-set victory in Manhattan on Sept. 27.

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

MATCH INFO:
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2015, 7 p.m.
Manhattan, Kansas
Ahearn Field House (5,000)
BU Audio: BaylorBears.com/AllAccess
Live Stats: KStateSports.com

BAYLOR BEARS
2015 Record: 11-2
Head Coach: Ryan McGuyre (1st season)
All-Time Record vs. KANSAS STATE: 13-26 (last meeting, five set loss in Waco, 11/15/14)
All-Time Record vs. KANSAS STATE in Manhattan: 5-15 (last meeting, five-set win, 9/27/14)

KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
2015 Record: 8-5
2015 Big 12 Record: 0-1
Head Coach: Suzie Fritz (15th season)

Baylor Weekend Volleyball Preview
By Cody Soto
Baylor Bear Foundation

If there's one thing that Baylor volleyball wanted to express during nonconference play, it's the team's new identity under first-year head coach Ryan McGuyre.

In fact, the team is thriving off its new attitude.

"At the beginning of the season, our identity was the team that grinds out things," middle hitter Tola Itiola said. "We work hard to get wins, and that's evident because our first few wins were five-set wins. Throughout the season, the 'can and will €¦win' attitude is a huge part of our attitude."

Thirteen matches into the season, the Bears (11-2) have only faltered twice, falling on the road to then-No. 12 Colorado State and Cleveland State.

Baylor has taken down multiple opponents, including four in five sets.

With the nonconference schedule behind them, it's time to see if the Bears were truly put to the test. Big 12 play begins Saturday, with Baylor facing Kansas State (8-5) at 7 p.m. in Manhattan, Kan.

But it won't be easy.

"You have to follow the game plan and hold each other accountable," outside hitter Andie Malloy said. "It's nice to see how consistent you can play against the same teams in different settings."

Only two conference opponents are currently ranked in the AVCA Top 25 poll - No. 2 Texas (11-1) and 15th-ranked Kansas (13-0) - but Baylor is trying to sneak into the poll with a good start in conference play.

Does Baylor belong among the elite? Maybe, but only if the team is consistent, Itiola said.

"Every opponent is very good, so whoever is willing to stay consistent the longest and who wants it the most will end up with the most wins," she said. "Having a good (nonconference performance)was a good goal, and now it's time to accomplish a new goal, and that's winning a Big 12 championship."

Baylor heads into conference play with a plethora of offensive weapons.

Veterans Katie Staiger, Adrien Richburg, Malloy and Itiola will be big targets for setters Amy Rosenbaum and Morgan Reed, but the underclassmen are also big contributors in McGuyre's offense.

While liberos Jana Brusek and Mackenzie Mayo shine in the back row, freshmen Jordan Vail, Shelly Fanning and Amanda Lesikar have made their impact already on the offensive line. The balance on the roster can be credited to the leadership mentality McGuyre has preached throughout nonconference play, Itiola said.

"We lead each other and inspire each other, and that's a part of the identity of the team," she said. "We all try to take on that leadership role to do what needs to be done."

Kansas State and Baylor split last year's matchups, with each team winning on the opponent's home court in five sets. The Bears held on for a thrilling five-set win in Manhattan before allowing the Wildcats to take the final three sets and stun the Bears in Waco less than a month later.

The Bears do not want that to happen again.

"Every night is a tough match, so you can't take any games off," Malloy said. "Every team will show up wanting to beat Baylor, so it will take our best game every time. We just need to take it one game at a time, even one point at a time in the Big 12."

With their backs against the wall multiple times already, McGuyre wants the team to win or lose abiding by the game plan set before them. The identity of the team can be seen by that as well, he said.

"How you win and how you lose is important," McGuyre said. "When we've lost, we've played it safe in certain areas. If we're going to lose, let's do it with the principles and the standards we've set."

Has Baylor volleyball made a transition into becoming a powerful volleyball program yet? That will be answered in the Big 12 matches.

"I think that killer instinct is something that's becoming part of our identity," McGuyre said. "Everyone saw us as the underdog; we were still picked sixth in the Big 12. But we haven't wanted to view ourselves that way. We're viewing ourselves in how we've been created and with the gifts and talents we have and expecting and believing we can win each match."

-BU-