Kansas University volleyball coach Ray Bechard left the court happy, but perhaps not satisfied, after his team picked up its second sweep to start the season Saturday night at Horejsi Center.

The Jayhawks defeated Missouri-Kansas City, 3-0 (30-18, 30-27, 30-28), at the Jayhawk Classic, but still didn’t always show the consistent intensity desired by their coach.

“I just thought UMKC,” Bechard said, “valued the opportunity a little more than we did tonight.”

It might have been easier for Bechard to call the final two games a letdown after his squad played so well in the first.

Using an aggressive attack against a smaller Kangaroo team, the Jayhawks reeled off 19 of the first 25 points to take control.

“It seemed like the match was important to us at that time with a lot of emotion,” Bechard said. “Maybe we relaxed because things were going pretty easy for us. That’s pretty typical of athletes at all levels, but that’s not really acceptable for the level we’re trying to get to.”

Kansas University's Emily Brown (7) and Andi Rozum celebrate a point against UMKC. The Jayhawks beat the 'Roos, 3-0, Saturday night at Horejsi Center.

Kansas struggled most in the third game, with UMKC gaining confidence and the lead at 17-14.

A key play came two points later, when Paula Caten’s spike was blocked back onto Kansas’ side.

With the UMKC players celebrating, an official belatedly called a net violation, giving the point to Kansas.

The Jayhawks took the momentum and added two more points to regain the lead at 18-17.

Though most of her 12 kills were slams, senior Josi Lima came through with her most important point on her softest hit.

With Kansas leading 28-27, Lima used the Jayhawks’ second shot to score instead of set. With an opening in the back of the UMKC defense, Lima, a middle blocker, floated it to the back-right corner, where it fell untouched to give Kansas a crucial point.

Jana Correa ended it a few seconds later. After having a monster spike dug out, Correa returned on the next possession with even more gusto on her shot to finish off the Kangaroos.

Senior setter Andi Rozum (9) and junior libero Jamie Mathewson attempt to dig the ball against UMKC. The Jayhawks swept the 'Roos, 3-0, Saturday night at Horejsi Center.

“I think that’s the best feeling – to finish off with a good hit,” Correa said. “To me, personally, it’s a very good feeling.”

Correa finished with 11 kills, while Savannah Noyes added nine.

Most important for Kansas was finishing the weekend with two victories in the season-opening Classic. Kansas defeated Alabama, 30-28, 30-28, 30-22, Friday.

“I think to start with it’s pretty good,” Correa said. “We need to improve a lot more in a lot of places, but to start with two wins is pretty good.”

The Jayhawks will travel to the BYU Volleyball Challenge next week in Utah, where Friday they will face their best competition of the young season in the host Cougars.

BYU is not ranked, but, like Kansas, did receive votes in the preseason coaches poll.

“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves,” Correa said. “We need to play good, and we need to be good so when we get to the Big 12 we can do better.”