photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Lawrence volleyball team celebrates a point in a match against Shawnee Mission North on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in Lawrence. A junior-heavy team, the Lions showed their youth with some procedural errors but also showed their potential with multiple extended scoring streaks. Lawrence coach Michael Dunlap is in his first year leading the program, and his sideline energy has shown up in Lawrence's play and attitude.

Some self-inflicted errors cost Lawrence volleyball the win against Shawnee Mission North on Tuesday, as the Lions lost 3-1.

“It came down to our mistakes,” Lawrence coach Michael Dunlap said. “We have to be able to take care of our side of the net. The reality is we are still working to get there.”

Lawrence has a junior-heavy team, many of whom are getting varsity playing time for the first time. Dunlap said the team is having to develop some better habits on the court to overcome some of the team’s ingrained bad habits.

The Lions lost the first set of the night 27-25. It was a close, back-and-forth set, but the Lions fell short. The set featured a number of service errors and foot faults that gave the Bison free points.

Lawrence took a 25-24 lead after an ace from junior Madison Glasgow, but the Bison scored the next three points to win the set.

The first 20 points of the second set were split between the Bison and the Lions, but Lawrence went on a run after that to take the lead. The Lions maintained the lead and held on to win the set 25-17.

Lawrence’s scoring runs often coincided with its best serving. Dunlap said it is the team’s strength, and that the team needs to keep taking advantage of that when it can.

“We knew we could be a really good serving team,” Dunlap said. “We want to serve aggressively. We want to challenge teams, especially in various rotations… Trying to use the serve as a weapon is something we’ve worked on.”

Tied 1-1 on sets, the Bison started with a lead in the third set up 10-4. The Bison held firm to the lead, but the Lions put together a scoring run to cut the deficit to a point. A timeout helped the Bison turn the momentum back in their favor as they finished the set on a 6-4 run to win it.

Dunlap saw his team have some hesitancy both offensively and defensively. The team is working on building its confidence to make plays, and develop better habits on plays that lead to points. Dunlap saw that happen several times in the game and noted that seeing the players make plays they’ve practiced is “the joy of coaching,” but that the Lions need to have those mor often.

“We saw a lot of not hitting shots that are there,” Dunlap said. “We practice those shots. We are trying to come in and make new habits.”

Lawrence had its best start in the fourth set, starting The Bison got on the board and proceeded to score seven of the next nine points to cut into Lawrence’s early lead. The Lions still held a two-point lead at 17-15, but the Bison proceeded to score nine straight to get within a point of winning the match. The Lions scored twice, but the Bison got the win on the next point to defeat Lawrence 3-1.

“We scored 22 plus in the first three sets,” Dunlap said. “We were right there. When you talk about losing in the margins, that’s right there.”

Lawrence will be on the road on Thursday against Shawnee Mission Northwest at 6:30 p.m.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Katelyn Valbuena bumps the ball in a match against Shawnee Mission North on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior Ivy Ford prepares to serve the ball in a match against Shawnee Mission North on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Katelyn Valbuena gets low for a dig in a match against Shawnee Mission North on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Macy Saunders jumps to spike the ball in a match against Shawnee Mission North on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Macy Saunders serves the ball in a match against Shawnee Mission North on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Mariana Hicklin serves the ball in a match against Shawnee Mission North on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in Lawrence.