Hailey
The Kansas Jayhawks have officially claimed a host berth for the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament, entering the national bracket as the No. 4 seed in their quadrant.
Kansas will open tournament play against the High Point Panthers on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena in Lawrence.
First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT and the matchup will be streamed on ESPN platforms.
This marks the third consecutive year Kansas has hosted early-round NCAA Tournament matches and the fifth straight postseason appearance for the program.
Their consistency, strong regular-season performance, and defensive dominance helped secure a high seed and home-court advantage.
Kansas’ Season Performance and Strengths
The Jayhawks enter the postseason with an impressive 22–10 overall record and a 13–5 conference record, finishing second in the Big 12.
Under head coach Matt Ulmer, Kansas displayed one of the most balanced statistical profiles in the conference.
Key season metrics include:
- 13.4 kills per set
- 12.4 assists per set
- .243 hitting percentage
- 2.48 blocks per set
- 14.4 digs per set
Defensively, Kansas has been one of the toughest teams in the nation, holding opponents to .174 hitting percentage, ranking among the top defensive units nationally.
The team also ranked near the top of the Big 12 in total kills, assists, digs, and total attacks across the season.
Kansas enters the tournament with strong momentum, having won four of its last five matchups against ranked teams and closing the regular season with a 3–1 win over UCF.
High Point Panthers- Conference Champions Ready for the Challenge
The High Point Panthers earned their NCAA Tournament berth by winning both the Big South regular season and conference tournament titles.
They enter the national bracket with an 18–9 overall record and a 12–2 conference record, marking their third straight NCAA appearance.
High Point’s attack is led by standout hitters such as:
- Élodie Lalonde – team leader in kills per set
- Addison Freeland – key scorer and conference tournament MVP
- Maya Bukovcan – reliable offensive contributor
The Panthers bring a highly efficient defensive unit, led by Kea Whillock, who averages over 4 digs per set, and setter Remy Catojo, who directs the offense at nearly 8 assists per set.
This will be the first-ever volleyball meeting between Kansas and High Point.
At-a-Glance Match Breakdown
| Category | Kansas Jayhawks | High Point Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | No. 4 seed | Unseeded |
| Overall Record | 22–10 | 18–9 |
| Conference Record | 13–5 (Big 12) | 12–2 (Big South) |
| Qualification | At-large bid | Automatic bid |
| Head Coach | Matt Ulmer | Ryan Meek |
| Strengths | Elite defense, high assists, strong home record | Fast offense, tournament experience |
| Match Venue | Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena | Road matchup |
| Match Date | Dec. 4, 2025 | Dec. 4, 2025 |
What’s Next for the Winner
The winner of the Kansas vs High Point matchup will advance to face the winner of Miami vs Tulsa in the second round, which will also be hosted in Lawrence.
A second win would send the advancing team into regional play as part of the Nebraska quadrant, where top national contenders battle for a place in the Final Four in Kansas City later in December.
The Kansas vs High Point NCAA opener sets the stage for an exciting start to the tournament. Kansas enters with powerful momentum, defensive strength, and home-court advantage, while High Point brings championship experience and an aggressive offensive rhythm.
With both teams hungry to advance deeper into the bracket, fans can expect a high-intensity and competitive showdown in Lawrence.
Whichever team adjusts fastest and controls the net will take the crucial first step toward a deeper postseason run.