Hailey
The Kansas Jayhawks volleyball team finally earned their first three-set sweep of the 2025 season, defeating Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) with scores of 26-24, 25-16, and 25-20.
This victory on Thursday night in Vermillion, South Dakota, was led by the outstanding performance of Grace Nelson, who delivered a season-high 18 kills, and Rhian Swanson, who added 11 kills.
The Jayhawks showed strong teamwork, smart defense, and steady confidence to claim this important win.
Kansas Dominates with Power Plays
Nelson and Swanson Lead the Offense
The Jayhawks’ offense found great rhythm after the first set. Grace Nelson was unstoppable, scoring at critical moments, while Swanson supported with consistent kills. Their combined energy gave Kansas the push it needed to stay in control throughout the match.
Defense Anchored by Papac
On the defensive side, Aurora Papac stood tall with six blocks, shutting down FGCU attacks and forcing errors that helped Kansas maintain leads in every set.
First Set: A Close Battle
Kansas started strong with early kills from Nelson, Jovana Zelenovic, and Swanson, quickly moving ahead. With key service aces from Molly McCarthy and powerful swings from Cristin Cline, the Jayhawks forced FGCU to call a timeout.
Even though FGCU fought back to tie the score at 18-18, Kansas held firm. Late kills from Nelson and a crucial swing from Zelenovic gave the Jayhawks set point, which they secured after an FGCU attack error. Kansas won the opener 26-24.
Second Set: Complete Control
Kansas carried momentum into the second set, jumping to a 4-0 lead. Nelson, Swanson, and Ptacek kept the scoring steady, while Cline’s 7-0 service run gave the Jayhawks a 17-6 advantage.
The team never looked back, finishing the set 25-16 with kills from Nelson, Ptacek, and Swanson. This dominant set showed Kansas’ offensive firepower and defensive sharpness.
Third Set: Closing It Out
The third set was tighter, with FGCU briefly leading 4-3, but Kansas responded with a 4-0 run. Nelson once again delivered with an ace and back-to-back kills, pushing the Jayhawks to a 16-10 lead.
Despite FGCU cutting the margin to 18-15, Kansas stayed composed. Nelson and Zelenovic led a late surge that kept the Eagles from making a comeback. The Jayhawks sealed the set 25-20, completing their first sweep of the season.
Match Summary
| Set | Kansas Score | FGCU Score | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 | 24 | Nelson & Zelenovic clutch kills |
| 2 | 25 | 16 | Cline 7-0 service run, strong defense |
| 3 | 25 | 20 | Nelson ace, steady late surge |
What’s Next for Kansas?
The Jayhawks will continue competing in the Coyote Invitational, facing Green Bay on Friday at 4 p.m. CT. After this strong sweep, fans are eager to see if Kansas can carry the momentum forward and secure another victory.
The Kansas Jayhawks volleyball team made a strong statement with their sweep against FGCU, proving that their offense and defense can work in perfect balance.
With Nelson’s explosive kills, Swanson’s consistency, and Papac’s defensive wall, Kansas showed why they are ranked among the nation’s top teams. This win builds confidence for upcoming matches and sets the tone for a competitive season ahead.