It’s crunch time for Kansas University’s volleyball team.

KU has just three matches remaining in the regular season, but the Jayhawks (15-11 overall, 6-11 Big 12 Conference) could boost their NCAA Tournament hopes tonight against No. 13th-ranked Texas A&M (17-6, 13-4).

Coach Ray Bechard

“I think they’re all very important,” said KU coach Ray Bechard, whose team will play host to the Aggies at 7 p.m. at Horejsi Center. “The fact we’re playing a ranked opponent … it would be a great win. A&M is playing extremely well.”

The Aggies will be the third straight ranked opponent for KU, which lost to third-ranked Nebraska and No. 11 Texas in its last two outings.

“We’re getting better,” Bechard said, “but we’re getting to the point that every match is critical.”

The Jayhawks are in seventh place in the Big 12 standings behind Colorado (13-12, 8-10). KU will face the Buffaloes in the regular-season finale Nov. 27 at Horejsi after traveling Nov. 24 to Texas Tech (9-14, 5-12).

“We feel like there are seven quality teams, but there’s a gap between five and six from a record standpoint,” said Bechard, whose team was 9-0 in nonleague matches.

“I think you have to look at the entire season. Colorado and ourselves had really good nonconference seasons and played some really good teams.”

Kansas-Texas A&M game notes (.pdf)

Kansas senior libero Jill Dorsey injured her elbow in the Nebraska match and did not play in Wednesday’s four-game loss at Texas. Bechard said the former Wellsville standout was questionable for tonight’s game.