KU volleyball to host first, second round NCAA Tournament games for second year in a row

Jayhawks play Wichita State at 6:30 Friday in Allen Fieldhouse

Kansas players celebrate their win following Kansas' volleyball match against in-state rival Kansas State, Saturday at the Horejsi Center. The Jayhawks defeated the Wildcats, 3-1.

The Kansas University volleyball team earned the No. 14 overall seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament and, for the second season in a row, will host first- and second-round tournament games Friday and Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.

The Jayhawks learned their fate Sunday night via the national selection show on ESPNU. Gathered together in the Naismith Room at Allen Fieldhouse, the Jayhawks (23-7) watched three other brackets unfold before finally hearing their name called.

A second-place finish in the Big 12 Conference standings — the program’s highest ever — made KU a lock for inclusion in this year’s field, but the drama of whether it would host or travel during the opening weekend made for some anxious moments.

When the word “Kansas” finally did appear on the television screen, the Jayhawks exploded with excitement and then passed out hugs to anyone and everyone in the room.

KU will play Wichita State at 6:30 p.m. Friday night and the winner will face the winner of the 4 p.m. Friday match between Arkansas and Creighton at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Wichita State ended KU’s season in the second round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament at Allen Fieldhouse and the Jayhawks already have dubbed their portion of the bracket the “redemption bracket.” KU also lost to Arkansas (the Jayhawks and Razorbacks split in two five-set matches) and Creighton earlier this season.

Stay tuned to KUsports.com for much more on KU’s second consecutive trip to the postseason.