Via Kansas Athletics
LAWRENCE, Kan. – No. 16 Kansas opens the NCAA Tournament this week as the No. 4 seed in the Nebraska Regional, earning the right to host first- and second-round play inside Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena. The Jayhawks enter postseason at 22–10 overall and 13–5 in the Big 12, dropping only two home matches all season as they look to extend that home-court advantage.
“This is the time of year when everyone brings their very best,” said head coach Matt Ulmer. “Every team that walks into Horejsi is going to compete at a high level, and we expect nothing less. We’re grateful to be here, grateful to be hosting, and our group is excited for the challenge. Our players have earned this opportunity, and they’re ready to give everything they’ve got.”
This marks Kansas’ third straight year hosting the opening rounds and the fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance for the program. It is also the first NCAA Tournament run at Kansas for head coach Matt Ulmer, who brings postseason experience from his time at Oregon.
KU opens against High Point, the Big South champion that earned an automatic bid after winning its conference tournament without dropping a set. A win would advance the Jayhawks to face Miami or Tulsa on Friday. Tulsa–Miami begins at 4 p.m. CT, with Kansas following roughly 30 minutes after. All matches stream on ESPN+.
Kansas enters the postseason with significant conference recognition, placing seven Jayhawks on the All-Big 12 teams. Reese Ptacek secured her second straight First Team honor after surpassing 300 kills, while freshman opposite Jovana Zelenovic delivered a breakout season with a team-high 355 kills, earning a spot on both the First Team and the All-Rookie Team as the league’s only unanimous rookie selection.
The Second Team included setter Katie Dalton (710 assists), outside hitter Rhian Swanson (3.10 k/s), libero Ryan White (475 digs), and outside hitter Grace Nelson (280 kills, 282 digs). Freshman middle Aurora Papac also earned Rookie Team honors with 107 blocks. The awards reflect the balance and depth that have defined Kansas’ season.
Offensively, Kansas brings one of the Big 12’s most productive attacks into tournament week. The Jayhawks rank first in the Big 12 and 23rd nationally with 14.25 kills per set, while also standing second in the conference in assists per set at 12.75. Zelenovic leads KU at 3.13 kills per set, with Swanson and Selena Leban adding reliable secondary scoring. Kansas also runs one of the nation’s fastest offenses, ranking top-10 nationally in attacks per set.
Defensively, Kansas has been elite, ranking second in the Big 12 and ninth nationally with 17.63 digs per set. The Jayhawks also lead the league and sit fourth nationally in total digs, fueled by the play of libero Ryan White, who ranks 19th nationally in digs per set and 15th in total digs. Nelson has added stability with 2.75 digs per set, anchoring KU’s floor defense and ball control.
Kansas continues to hold a strong standing in the national polls, entering Week 14 of the AVCA Coaches Poll at No. 16, the second-highest Big 12 team behind Arizona State. The conference sends 10 programs to the NCAA Tournament, more than any other league in the country.
Fans can follow all the action this week by watching both matchups on ESPN+ or following live updates via @KUVolleyball on X. Live stats are also available here.
