By Bennett Parker | Sports Writer
No. 20 Baylor volleyball has become one of the most consistent programs in the country since head coach Ryan McGuyre took over before the 2015 season.
The Bears have made it to 10 consecutive NCAA Tournaments under McGuyre but have not had as many starts like the beginning to the 2026 season.
Baylor (4-0) became undefeated through its first four matches for the fourth time under McGuyre with a three-set sweep against visiting North Texas (3-1).
The Bears have only started this hot in 2024, 2019 and 2018 and include a trip to the national semifinals in 2019.
Baylor looked sharp, keeping composure when the Mean Green fought back at multiple points during the match. Sophomore outside hitter Ksenia Rakhmanchik showed up and found the ball whenever the Bears needed a point to outpace North Texas, also coming off a tournament MVP in the Wahine Volleyball Classic.
“She wants to improve every day,” McGuyre said. “She wants the ball every day. She’s like me, never satisfied … she’s got strong confidence.”
Rakhmanchik led the team on multiple runs largely thanks to the pressure created from her serves. She led the team with a trio of aces along with 12 kills.
The Bears started evening by jumping out to an 11-5 lead and continued to hold onto their lead across the whole set. They finished the set on a 4-0 run, winning 25-20
Baylor carried the momentum into an 8-1 lead to start the second set. The Bears put it all together against North Texas, who had multiple blocks in the set but struggled across the board otherwise. A .370 hitting percentage in set two powered Baylor past the Mean Green in a commanding 25-13 win.
North Texas retaliated with its sharpest play in set three, getting out to its first two-point lead at 11-9 and then another at 24-22. Baylor’s electric play over the last eight points and costly serving errors from the Mean Green earn the Bears the deciding set, 28-26.
Rakhmanchik, sophomore libero Madison and junior opposite hitter Grace Carroll shined in Baylor’s first match under the gold-topped Ferrell Center. The Bears were the dominant force throughout the match, boasting a .252 hitting percentage compared to the Mean Green’s .138.
“I know that there’s a couple of wrinkles and kinks that we need to work through,” Carroll said. “But overall, I think that we’re in a great spot. Just training really, really hard every day in practice, I think that we’re doing super, super well.“
Baylor proved why they are a force on their home court, extending its home winning streak to seven matches, going back to Oct. 15, 2025 against Kansas State. The Bears are expecting a packed house in their next match against Florida.
“I’m so excited to play this game at home,” Carroll said. “Being a Saturday match, hopefully ten times the amount of people show up. I’m really excited to continue to advertise our games … like we say all the time, fill the Ferrell.”
The Bears will have a great chance to “fill the Ferrell” with a marquee matchup against No. 17 Florida at 1 p.m. Saturday.
