By Cody Soto
Sports Writer
Baylor volleyball dropped a tough 3-1 decision to Kansas Friday night at the Ferrell Center for its fourth consecutive Big 12 loss 22-25, 25-18, 26-28, 22-25.
The Bears (10-9, 1-4 Big 12) were limited to a .195 hitting effort and let late leads in the third and fourth sets fall away to give the Jayhawks (13-5, 1-3 Big 12) their first conference win in 2014.
Junior outside hitter Andie Malloy led the team with 17 kills and 15 digs for her 10th double-double of the season. Sophomore middle hitter Tola Itiola had an impressive night at the net with nine kills and a team-leading five blocks in the loss. Sophomore middle hitter Sam Hill added 11 kills on a .500 hitting percentage for the Bears.
In the back row, freshman libero Ashley Myer had 19 digs and junior outside hitter Thea Munch-Soegaard contributed 12 digs in the four-set loss.
Junior setter Amy Rosenbaum led the Bears with 34 assists followed by sophomore setter Morgan Reed with 12.
The Bears used a late run in the opening set to keep the game alive, but the Jayhawks used an impressive .324 attack percentage to put away the first set 25-22. Baylor owned the second frame and used a .424 hitting effort to take the set 25-18 after junior outside hitter Laura Jones went out of the lineup with a knee injury. Jones did not return for the rest of the match.
Baylor had late leads in the final two sets of the game, but hitting errors and a weak appearance at the net caused the team to drop the third and fourth sets 28-26 and 25-22. Kansas finished the night with 12 blocks against the Bears and a .244 attack percentage to take the match.
Baylor puts Big 12 play aside and plays host to non-conference opponent Louisiana Lafayette on Tuesday night in the Ferrell Center. First serve is set for 7 p.m. in Waco.
