Traditionally speaking, Kansas University’s volleyball team has had about as much success against Texas as it has had against Nebraska.

And that’s not much, considering the Jayhawks never have beaten the Cornhuskers.

Luckily for Kansas, coach Ray Bechard can talk recent history against UT, because the Jayhawks have been much better against the Longhorns lately.

“That speaks well of some of the improvements we’ve made,” said Bechard, whose team has taken two of the last three matches from the Austin, Texas, school.

But those two wins are KU’s only victories over Texas since the series began in 1981. Bechard said tonight’s 7 p.m. match at Horejsi Center again would be a challenge.

“I think it will be a really, really, really difficult match,” Bechard said. “Just a real quality opponent.

“They’re extremely physical. Young, but they’ve gained experience as they go. They’re a much better team now than they were a month ago. I think they understand their roles better, what expectations they have individually and as a team.”

But Bechard said his team had learned from bitter setbacks.

While Texas nearly upended No. 8 Kansas State Oct. 15 in Manhattan in a five-game match, Kansas has played three five-game matches in Big 12 Conference play, losing twice and defeating Baylor.

“When you go five in Manhattan, I don’t know how many teams do that,” Bechard said. “I think even though they lose that match, you can build on it.

“We’ve had a couple of five-gamers ourselves with Texas A&M and Missouri. We walked away from them disappointed. But you also have to understand that, hey, we made some team goals.”

Kansas’ 13-7 overall record is slightly better than Texas’ mark of 10-8, but both teams are 5-4 in the Big 12 and tied for fifth place with Colorado.

“We see them both this week,” Bechard said of tonight’s match and Friday’s 8 p.m., showdown in Boulder, Colo. “Obviously those spots — five, six and seven — will shake out a little this week.”