KU Volleyball Defeats NCF in Thrilling Match

The Kansas women’s volleyball team secured a hard-fought victory over the New College of Florida on November 7, 2026, winning a marathon set that saw the score climb into the high 20s. The match was characterized by frequent lead changes and a high volume of service errors and unforced errors from both sides.

The contest, as reported by kuseahawks.com, evolved into a grueling test of endurance and mental discipline. What began as a relatively balanced exchange of points transformed into a high-stakes battle of attrition, with neither side able to maintain a significant cushion for long. The momentum shifted repeatedly, forcing both teams to respond to sudden bursts of scoring from their opponents.

A See-Saw Battle in the Opening Frames

The match opened with New College of Florida (NCF) finding early success at the service line. Addison Phillippe recorded back-to-back service aces to give NCF an initial 1-0 lead. However, the advantage was short-lived; Phillippe committed consecutive service errors, allowing Kansas (KU) to reclaim control and take a 2-1 lead.

The early stages were defined by instability. KU capitalized on errors by NCF’s Soraya Nacero and Rebecca Rosculet to build a 3-2 advantage. NCF responded through Khalia Horta, who benefited from attack errors by KU’s Cece Worsham to tie the game at 4-4. This pattern of error-driven scoring continued as the teams traded points, with Wiktoria Telecka finding success with service aces before also committing errors that allowed KU to stay within striking distance.

Momentum Shifts and Defensive Adjustments

As the match progressed, the tactical nature of the play became more apparent. KU found ways to exploit NCF’s defensive gaps, notably through kills by Cecilia Soragna following sets from Wiktoria Telecka. Meanwhile, NCF relied on the service prowess of Paryss Betts to keep the score tight. By the time the teams reached the mid-teens, the score was locked in a dead heat, reflecting the difficulty both programs faced in sustaining offensive pressure.

The scoring became increasingly volatile. A block by Emma Friese and Addison Chapman against Madison Goin prevented NCF from pulling ahead, while KU’s Mallory Dills managed to find rhythm with a service ace from Danica Bowden. The teams remained neck-and-neck, trading kills and errors in a sequence that saw the score move from 13-13 to 17-17.

The Final Push to 23

The closing stages of the set saw KU exert significant pressure through their defensive front. Addison Chapman and Cece Worsham were instrumental in several key moments, utilizing blocks to force attack errors from NCF. A critical stretch saw KU pull ahead 19-17, prompting a timeout from New College of Florida in an attempt to stabilize their play.

Despite the timeout, NCF struggled to stem the tide. KU’s Makenzi Bennett contributed a kill by Wiktoria Telecka to extend the lead, and a service error by Soraya Nacero pushed the score to 21-19. KU continued to capitalize on the opening, with Madison Goin and Cece Worsham providing the necessary kills to navigate the final points. The match concluded with a kill by Cecilia Soragna, assisted by Valentina Bozzato, cementing the victory for Kansas.

Match Statistical Breakdown

Team	Final Score (Set)
Kansas (KU)	23
New College of Florida (NCF)	22

The narrow margin of victory underscores the competitive nature of the matchup. For NCF, the inability to convert late-set opportunities into points proved decisive, while KU’s ability to maintain composure during high-pressure rallies allowed them to edge out the win in a set that remained undecided until the final sequence.

Worth a look