Notes: Kansas City Returns Home to Host NDSU, UND

Kansas City Notes

Kansas City Volleyball heads back home after beginning conference play on the road at St. Thomas and Denver. The Roos were unable to come away with a win, falling in both matches in four sets.
Kansas City dropped their lone home match of the season against Western Illinois in straight sets. However, the Roos opponents this week are a combined 0-5 on the road so far this season, meaning something will have to give.
Historically, Kansas City has found success against North Dakota. The Roos lead the series 8-4 while winning the last four matches dating back to 2022. Last time out, Kansas City swept UND on November 14, 2024 in Grand Forks.
Kansas City continues to perform defensively, ranking 2nd in the Summit League in digs as a team with 781 in 2025. The Roos are also 4th in digs per set, churning out 15.02 per set.
Veteran liberos Alaina Larson and Chloe Kaminski are both top 10 in the Summit League in digs. Larson's 153 digs ranks 7th in the Summit. The junior also has seven matches of double figure digs with a season-best 25 vs. SLU. Kaminski's 151 digs is 8th in the conference while the senior has six matches of double figure digs and a season-best of 22 vs. EMU.
The Roos have heavily relied on freshmen this season with Stella Smith, Emry Brown and Mia Weaver all playing major roles in the rotation. The three freshmen have combined for 87 sets played so far in 2025.
Newly minted into the lineup, Smith notched 11 kills on a .500 hitting percentage at Denver. Smith holds a 2.00 kills per set rate, ranking 2nd best on the team. Brown has 59 points, 51 kills and 1.55 kills per set in her first collegiate season. Weaver is 3rd on the team in points with 98 and kills with 81 as a true freshman.
Ledisi Kpea continues to anchor the Roos on both ends of the floor. The sophomore middle blocker is 4th in the Summit League in blocks with 44 while posting 0.85 blocks per set (9th). Kpea is also 2nd on the team in points (129.5), kills (103) and hitting percentage (.256).
Ryanne Wattree leads the team offensively in both points with 133 and kills at 122 in her sophomore season. Wattree is third on the team in hitting percentage at .186 in 2025. Wattree has earned her way to the double figure kill mark on four occasions this year.
Lyla Jones has been spreading the wealth this season, leading the team in assists with 285 this year. That mark is the 5th highest in the Summit League. Jones is also 6th in the conference in assists per set at 5.48 in the 2025 season.

North Dakota State Notes

NDSU won its fourth straight Summit League opener after picking up a 3-0 win over North Dakota last week. The Bison are 7-4 overall and 1-0 in Summit League action. The Bison have lost three of their last four matches and are 0-2 on the road this season.
Historically, NDSU has faired well against Kansas City, holding a 20-7 record all-time and winning five of the last seven matches. Last time they faced off at the Swinney Center, NDSU beat KC 3-2 on October 10, 2024.
The Bison are one of the Summit League's top teams from the service line, currently ranking second with 1.95 aces per set, which ranks 28th in the nation.
The Bison were picked to finish sixth in the Summit League Preseason Coaches' Poll and garnered 32 points. Senior middle blocker Ally Barth and junior outside hitter Lauren Jansen were selected to the Summit League Players to Watch list.

North Dakota Notes

UND lands at 4-9 overall and 1-1 in Summit League play for the 2025 season after going 3-8 against non-conference opposition. North Dakota is 0-3 on the road so far in 2025, losing to West Virginia, Mercer and NDSU.
The Fighting Hawks have rounded into form recently, winning four of their last six matches after starting the season 0-7.
The Fighting Hawks are strong from the service line, holding a 1.88 aces per set mark which is third best in the Summit League.
Senior outside hitter Paige Barber and freshman Sadie White were named Summit League "Players to Watch" while North Dakota was picked to finish 7th in the Summit League Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Notes: Kansas City Returns Home to Host NDSU, UND

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Emry Brown

Lyla Jones

Chloe Kaminski

Ledisi Kpea

Alaina Larson

Stella Smith

Ryanne Wattree

Mia Weaver

Notes: Kansas City Returns Home to Host NDSU, UND

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Emry Brown

Lyla Jones

Chloe Kaminski

Ledisi Kpea

Alaina Larson

Stella Smith

Ryanne Wattree

Mia Weaver

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