A win’s a win, or so the saying goes.

Sometimes, it just isn’t pretty.

Kansas University’s volleyball team defeated Missouri-Kansas City, three games to none (30-22, 30-27, 30-25) Tuesday at Horejsi Center, ending the Jayhawks’ nonconference season unbeaten at 9-0.

But it wasn’t the type of match KU coach Ray Bechard expected from the Jayhawks, who were fresh off two huge Big 12 wins in the last week.

“That was disappointing,” Bechard said. “It wasn’t clean, in all areas.”

It was enough, though. Despite being down by as many as four points in the second and third games, the Jayhawks (12-1) rebounded each time, keeping their undefeated mark at Horejsi alive. The Kangaroos dropped to 8-10 with the loss.

“It helped us realize that we have to go out every match and play our best,” KU sophomore Lindsey Morris said. “We can’t take anything for granted.”

Morris had 10 kills on the night, including seven in the third game. She stepped up in the absence of Abbie Jacobson, who left in the second game with a tight hamstring.

“I think she has a little bit of a hamstring pull, so we kept her out of game three,” Bechard said. “Morris needed some opportunity on the left side anyway.”

Morris’s night was a rare bright spot in a match in which KU suffered 13 service errors and 17 attacking errors. The Jayhawks had to rally from behind several times in the final two games to claim victory.

“This team has a history of not panicking,” Bechard said. “We slowly came back. I don’t want that to be a habit, but I also want that to be a trait of a team that can come back.”

Tuesday’s match also marked the return of outside hitter Molly Scavuzzo. The senior saw limited action, contributing two kills in the final two games. She had minor knee surgery in early September.

“She’s not all the way back yet,” Bechard said, “but she can only get that way if we give her opportunities in match situations. Slowly but surely, I’m sure she’ll be back into it.”

Josiane Lima once again led KU, with 13 kills and 12 digs, her fifth double-double of the season. Ashley Michaels also had 10 kills for the Jayhawks, who travel to Austin, Texas, to take on the University of Texas on Saturday.

“Now we can really concentrate on the rest of the conference season,” Bechard said. “I think that’s where the girls have been putting most of their energy. This match maybe didn’t come at the best time.

“It’s a 3-0 win, and we’ll move on.”