K-State Defeats San Diego, Advances to Second Round

In a thrilling five-set match, K-State rallied to defeat San Diego, securing their place in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats overcame a challenging 2-1 deficit to win the match 21-25, 25-17, 26-28, 25-22, 15-12 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.

K-State Advances to Second Round

This victory marked K-State’s first postseason win since 2016 and underscored their impressive season. The Wildcats improved their record to 18-9 this year, achieving their first 18-win season since 2016.

Key Performers

• Shaylee Myers: Led the team with 26 kills, setting a record for the most 20-kill matches in a single season during the rally-scoring era.
• Ava LeGrand: Recorded 49 assists and 14 digs, marking her sixth consecutive double-double of the season.
• Aniya Clinton: Notched 19 kills and 13 digs, achieving her ninth double-double of the year.
• Jordyn Williams: Contributed a match-high seven blocks, helping K-State to a total of 13 blocks.

Defense Makes the Difference

K-State’s defense was pivotal, forcing 30 attack errors from San Diego, which contributed to their victory. The Wildcats registered a .276 hitting percentage, making 61 kills on 152 attempts. In contrast, San Diego’s hitting stood at .276 as well, with 67 kills but 30 errors.

San Diego’s Performance

Despite the defeat, San Diego put up a strong fight. Nemo Beach led the team with 22 kills and added 12 digs for a double-double. Isabel Clark contributed 20 kills, while Olivia Bennett excelled defensively with 25 digs.

Match Breakdown

Looking Ahead

K-State will face Nebraska in the second round, marking the third postseason meeting between the two teams. Historically, K-State has won one of their previous encounters in the postseason.

This match carries significant momentum for the Wildcats as they look to continue their run in the tournament.