Havili’s Decision Making Key to Offensive Success

IRVING, Texas – Ainise Havili’s decision-making abilities and aggressive service game provided the sophomore setter enough clout for her second Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week award on Monday.

Havili guided KU’s high-octane offense, which leads the nation in kills and hitting percentage, to a .326 hitting percentage last week during the Jayhawks’ 16th and 17th consecutive victories – continuing the longest winning streak in program history. In sweeps over Texas Tech and Iowa State, Havili averaged a Big 12-leading 12.3 assists per set, totaled four aces, and registered six kills on 14 errorless swings.

“She served great and put our team in good situations with her decision making,” Kansas head coach Ray Bechard said. “She had a real good feel for determining what matchups give us success. Once we talk about the game plan, she does a good job of taking ownership of that and executing it on the court.”

The Fort Worth, Texas, native leads the nation assists (12.5) while quarterbacking a KU offense that also leads the nation in kills per set (15.4) and hitting percentage (.323).

“Our offensive success is a result of good balance, good passing from our back-row, and good decision-making from Ainise,” Bechard said of KU’s national prominence in the statistic rankings. “It is a complete team effort, but her role is important in giving our hitters quality balls and making tactical decisions in the heat of competition.”

Havili also took home Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 21 this season.

No. 10 Kansas (17-0, 5-0 Big 12), which joins USC as the two remaining undefeated teams in NCAA Division I volleyball, returns to action on the road against Baylor on Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT.

Kansas 2015 Big 12 Offensive Players of the Week
Kelsie Payne – Sept. 7
Ainise Havili – Sept. 21
Madison Rigdon – Oct. 5
Ainise Havili – Oct. 12

Ainise Havili’s All-Time Big 12 Honors
• Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week – 9/21/15, 10/12/15
• Preseason All-Big 12 Team – 2015
• All-Big 12 Honorable Mention – 2014
• Big 12 All-Freshman Team – 2014
• Big 12 Rookie of the Week – 12/1/14, 11/10/14, 10/20/14, 10/10/14
• Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year – 2014