Oct. 28, 2016 By John Shellenberger
Baylor Bear Foundation
After matching the best conference start in school history, Baylor volleyball (18-6, 6-2) looks to knock off Kansas State (16-6, 5-4 Big 12) for the second time this season at 7 p.m. Saturday iat Ahearn Field House in Manhattan, Kansas.
The Bears finished the first half of their conference schedule by defeating Oklahoma in four sets last Saturday, giving them their first 6-2 start in league play since 2009. A win against Kansas State would give Baylor its best-ever conference start.
"It's really fun, really exciting to know that we're having one of the best seasons Baylor has ever had," said junior Camryn Freiberg. "But, we know we have so much more to go. We're not just trying to drop only one or two sets. We're trying to go undefeated the second half. Obviously, we want to be in the (NCAA) tournament, but we still think that a Big 12 championship is in reach."
While Baylor has won the last two meetings against K-State by 3-0 sweeps, head coach Ryan McGuyre is focusing on the future rather than reveling in the past.
"Kansas State's a great team. They were ranked in the top 25 when we beat them the first time, and I'm sure that didn't settle with them," McGuyre said. "So, moving forward all of our matches the second half are going to be tough. There's not one on the schedule that we can ever overlook. And if we do that, we'll lose."
McGuyre knows that Baylor will need to continue to play at its highest level if it hopes to best a very physical Kansas State team. Even after they soundly beat them at home in the Sept. 25 conference opener in Waco, the Bears refuse to underestimate their competition and insist they've already put their past success behind them.
"It's a new season," McGuyre said. "We went 6-2 (in the first half), now we're seeing it 0-0. It's going to be even tougher with five (matches) on the road and three at home this time through. And we'd like to finish 7-1, 8-0, but right now the focus is 1-0."
Freiberg has certainly elevated her play since the start of the season. The junior middle blocker from Allen, Texas, had a career-high 14 kills against Oklahoma, notching three straight kills and then a huge solo block in a second-set run that made the Sooners uncomfortable the rest of the night.
While Freiberg has seen Baylor improve by leaps and bounds over the last month, she believes that K-State has done the same.
"I think it's going to be a lot different game," said Freiberg, a transfer from High Point University. "They're going to come out really strong. But, we're ready for that. We know they're going to want to play their best game. They have confidence coming off a five-set game with Texas. That's a pretty big deal. We didn't even get to do that. But, we still have the same mindset, and we still look to sweep them and really put some damage on Kansas State."
Along with Nicole Thomas, Morgan Reed and Ashley Fritcher, Freiberg is part of a Baylor defense that leads the Big 12 in blocking despite being the shortest team in the conference.
"We're not very concerned on how many blocks per set we have," McGuyre said. "But, we are concerned if our block is having an influence on what our opponents are doing. The sets we lost, I didn't feel like our block was having an impact, because it only takes one or two blocks, and then they're hitting it somwehwere else. At K-State, they all have heavy arms, so we've got to make sure our block is at least having an influence on what they're trying to do."
Perhaps the most interesting thing to watch during Saturday's match is the battle between the two Katies. K-State setter Katie Brand and Baylor junior outside hitter Katie Staiger lead the Big 12 with 13 and 12 double-doubles, respectively, this season.
Staiger has been named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week a school-record four times and leads the conference in points, points per set, kills and kills per set. While shje is arguably one of the most dynamic players in the nation, her teammates and coaches have a different view on what she's best at.
"I think she would definitely be in contention for being the best teammate in the Big 12," McGuyre said. "You know we're just called to give all of ourselves in all that wwe do. Different people might have different gifts and talents. But, without question, Katie is giving all her self in all that she does.
"Emotionally, mentally preparation, spiritually, encouragement-wise, and then technically and physically with her arm - with her blocking with her defense, with her serving - she's given all of herself. And who can judge that? I'm excited at what she's doing."
This begins a stretch of three straight on the road, with the Bears playing Texas Tech (10-14, 0-9) next Wednesday in Lubbock and second-ranked Texas (17-2, 9-0) the following Wednesday, Nov. 9, in Austin.
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Baylor volleyball (18-6, 6-2) kicks of the second half of the double round-robin conference schedule, trekking north to face the Kansas State Wildcats (16-6, 5-4), on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. in Ahearn Field House.
With a firm hold on the third-place spot in the conference standings, the Bears can continue to create separation from the middle of the pack, with the Wildcats checking in at No. 4 in the current conference standings.
Baylor swept KSU earlier this season, with the Wildcats ranked at No. 23 in the country at the time.
The Wildcats still represent a significant opportunity for BU's postseason hopes, with the Wildcats holding the second-highest RPI ranking in the conference at No. 17.
Kansas State carries a 27-15 all-time series lead heading into the weekend match, including a 16-5 margin in Manhattan.
For this and all other Baylor road matches, fans can tune into the live internet radio broadcast on BaylorBears.com/allaccess. Additionally, Saturday's match will be televised on FOX College Sports Central.
Keep up with the team all season long by following Baylor Volleyball's official accounts on Twitter (@BaylorVball), Facebook (Baylor Volleyball), Instagram (@BaylorVolleyball), and Snapchat (@BaylorVball).
MATCH INFO:
Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. CT
Ahearn Field House | Manhattan, Kan.
Audio: BaylorBears.com (Paid)
Talent: Jonathan Hill
TV: FOX College Sports Central
Live Stats: KStateSports.com
BAYLOR BEARS
2015 Record: 17-13
2016 Record: 18-6
2016 Big 12 Record: 6-2
Head Coach: Ryan McGuyre (2nd season)
All-Time Record vs. Kansas State: 15-27
All-Time Record vs. Kansas State in MANHATTAN: 5-16
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
2015 Record: 17-12
2016 Record: 16-6
2016 Big 12 Record: 5-4
Head Coach: Suzie Fritz (16th season)
#SicEm
