MANHATTAN, Kan. — No. 8 BYU women’s volleyball dropped its second-straight match, falling at Kansas State, 3-0 (21-25, 22-25, 21-25) at Morgan Family Arena on Friday night.
The Cougars (18-5, 7-4 Big 12) .184 hitting percentage was bested by the Wildcats’ .286 clip. BYU was also out-blocked by K-State, eight to six.
Outside hitter Erin Livingston posted a team-high 12 kills, while middle blocker Whitney McEwan-Llarenas added eight to go along with a team-high four blocks.
Setter Whitney Bower recorded 24 assists and nine digs, with libero Kamaile Hiapo contributed a team-high 14 digs. Libero Hannah Billeter led the team with two service aces.
Set 1
Both teams battled for the lead before a 3-0 Wildcat run had K-State up 9-6, forcing a Cougar timeout. Drawing within one on two occasions, BYU worked to tie the set at 14, 15 and 16-all before earning a 19-17 advantage, forcing a Kansas State timeout.
Two Erin Livingston kills kept BYU in front by two, but another 3-0 Wildcat run had the Cougars calling their second timeout down by one. Taking the next three points, K-State closed the set on a 6-0 run to win set one, 25-21.
Set 2
BYU used both of its timeouts early, trailing 4-0 and then facing a 10-4 deficit. Three-straight Kansas State errors helped the Cougars draw closer, and the Wildcats called timeout ahead 12-9.
Responding to a 4-0 K-State run, BYU got right-side kills from Mia Lee and Alyssa Erickson before a Whitney Bower ace to make it 18-15, KSU. The Cougars scored three-straight facing set point but Kansas State scored out of a timeout to win the set, 25-22.
Set 3
Trading points to begin the third, a 3-0 K-State run had BYU down 8-5 and it took a timeout. The Cougars drew within one on three separate occasions thanks to a trio of double blocks, but surrendered three-straight to the Wildcats and called timeout down 15-10.
Down six, a 5-0 BYU run that spanned a Kansas State timeout had the final frame at 19-18. Trading points, the Cougars’ deficit wouldn’t get closer than two, and K-State earned its second-straight sweep, 25-21.
Up Next
BYU will return home next week to welcome Cincinnati to the Smith Fieldhouse on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3-4. Both matches will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.