Balanced Attack Leads No. 14 Kansas Past Cincinnati, 3–1

Thursday, October 30

Cincinnati, Ohio

5:30 p.m. CT

University of Kansas

16-8,7-3Big 12

Cincinnati

11-8,3-6Big 12

Kansas

Cincinnati

Balanced Attack Leads No. 14 Kansas Past Cincinnati, 3–1

10/30/2025 7:59:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Season Stats 10.30 Box Score (PDF)

CINCINNATI, Ohio — No. 14 Kansas volleyball bounced back in Big 12 play with a 3–1 road victory at Cincinnati on Friday night, improving to 16–8 overall and 7–3 in conference action. The Jayhawks displayed a steady, balanced attack behind 19 kills from Rhian Swanson and 17 from Grace Nelson, while setter Katie Dalton orchestrated the offense with 50 assists.

"Happy with our defensive effort tonight. Our offense had some good stretches, but it needs to become more consistent," said head coach Matt Ulmer. "Grace Nelson also did a lot of really nice things on the court tonight."

Opening their 10th Big 12 match of the season on the road, Cincinnati jumped out to an early 2-0 lead before Kansas found its rhythm with back-to-back kills from Nelson and Jovana Zelenovic to even the score at 2-2. Both teams traded points through the middle of the set, exchanging momentum and lead changes, until the Bearcats went on a 3-0 scoring burst to take a 12-8 advantage. Kansas quickly halted the run, responding with a 6-1 surge of its own to grab a 14-12 lead heading into the media timeout. Out of the break, Kansas maintained its rhythm behind strong offensive execution. Reese Ptacek, Swanson, and Aurora Papac each delivered key kills as the Jayhawks extended their lead to 18-15. Though Cincinnati rallied to tie the set at 21-21, Kansas closed on a decisive run. A kill by Papac and a set-point strike from Nelson made it 24-22 before the Jayhawks sealed the frame 25-22 with a block assist from Nelson and Ptacek.

Kansas carried its energy from the opening frame into the second set, trading points early before establishing control behind an efficient offensive rhythm. Nelson and Zelenovic combined for early kills to keep pace with Cincinnati, and the Jayhawks soon pulled ahead 7–3 following back-to-back kills from Ptacek and Swanson, forcing a Bearcats timeout. Out of the break, Kansas stayed aggressive, Papac and Swanson continued to attack from both pins while Nelson added several more kills to extend the lead to 12–8. Despite a brief Cincinnati push, the Jayhawks' balanced offense and precise setting from Dalton helped them maintain a steady advantage, holding a 15–12 edge midway through the set. The Jayhawks continued to dominate down the stretch with precise setting from Dalton and balanced contributions across the front line. Zelenovic remained steady on the outside with a pair of late kills, while Nelson and Ptacek closed the door with back-to-back points. Kansas secured the second set 25–17, taking a 2–0 lead in the match.

Cincinnati opened the third set strong, taking an early 3–1 lead behind an ace and steady offensive rhythm. Kansas quickly responded as Jovana Zelenovic and Ptacek powered the attack, combining for three kills to tie the score at 3–3. The Jayhawks then surged ahead with a pair of kills from Ptacek and a block at the net to go up 10–7, forcing a Bearcats timeout. After Cincinnati regrouped, they went on a 5-0 run, which put them ahead 13-12. Cincinnati continued its strong start midway through the third set to build a 16–13 lead. Kansas answered behind Zelenovic, who delivered back-to-back kills to even the score at 17–17. Nelson and Swanson combined for consecutive kills to close the gap once again, bringing the score to 20–21. After Cincinnati extended its advantage to 23–20, and was able to close the set out after two attack errors and a kill, to send the set to a fourth, 25-22.

Kansas came out sharp to open the fourth, setting the tone early with strong blocking from Papac and Zelenovic to take the first point. Zelenovic added an ace soon after, and steady swings from Nelson and Ptacek helped the Jayhawks edge ahead 9–6. The Bearcats tried to close the gap, but Kansas' balanced attack and defensive pressure held firm. Another ace from Zelenovic and back-to-back kills from Ptacek and Swanson widened the margin to 15–12 at the media timeout. Out of the break, Kansas stayed composed, with Nelson and Swanson continuing to find open spots on the floor to extend the lead to 19–14, prompting a Cincinnati timeout. Kansas kept its momentum rolling as Ptacek delivered back-to-back service aces to push the lead to 21–14. Swanson powered down the final kill to close out the set, 25–18, securing the match for Kansas.

Up Next
Kansas stays on the road and will have one day in between to prepare for another Big 12 matchup against West Virginia, with first serve set for 12 p.m. CT.