Kansas University volleyball coach Ray Bechard had high expectations for his Jayhawks entering this season, but their offensive production has surprised him a little bit.

KU — 15-0 and ranked in the AVCA Coaches Poll top 10 for the first time in program history — leads the nation in assists per set (14.5) and kills per set (15.5).

Bechard knows those offensive statistics wouldn’t be where they’re at without sophomore setter Ainise Havili, whose 12.6 assists per set also lead the country.

“She can keep the defense off balance by creating opportunities when they don’t really expect that to happen,” Bechard said.

A 5-foot-10 sophomore from Fort Worth, Texas, Havili didn’t exactly come out of nowhere this year. She led the Big 12 in assists as a freshman. Still, Kansas swingers senior Tiana Dockery, sophomore Kelsie Payne, junior Tayler Soucie and sophomore Madison Rigdon have benefited due to Havili taking her game to another level.

Kansas sophomore Ainise Havili concentrates as she makes a set during the Jayhawks' volleyball match against in-state rival Kansas State Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015 at the Horejsi Center. The Jayhawks bested the Wildcats, 3-1, and improved to 13-0 on the year.

Some setters have tendencies. Not Havili. Bechard said her decision-making and unique ability to constantly put hitters in point-winning spots makes her “the total package.” Plus, Dockery and Rigdon are talented enough that the setter can take calculated risks when she leads them above the net.

Many times, Havili’s footwork allows her to create assists on plays that might not seem plausible. She focuses on arriving fast and getting balanced to turn the improbable into a KU kill. And that’s when she’s having the most fun on the court.

“If you can get your feet to the ball,” Havili said, “you can get it wherever you need it to go.”

The No. 10 Jayhawks (3-0 Big 12) — one of three unbeaten teams in Division I, along with No. 1 USC (16-0) and No. 5 Arizona State (15-0) — aim to keep their hot streak alive and well tonight at Texas Tech (12-5, 1-2). Bechard acknowledged KU’s season will only get tougher from here on out, as conference foes have more time to prepare for and scout Dockery and Rigdon, and try to take away their ability to kill the first ball.

Junior libero Cassie Wait said every Jayhawk is capable of producing big numbers because of Havili, who allows Kansas hitters to rise up and rip.

“She’s awesome, day in and day out,” Wait said. “She makes me look 10 times better than I really am. She makes every ball perfect for them.”

Havili and her teammates are more than happy to have set the bar high for the rest of the season, with their offense clicking.

“It’s been a great ride,” the setter said. “It’s crazy to be here, be where I’m at right now.”