LAWRENCE — The sound the ball made after it caromed off sophomore Kelsie Payne’s blocks echoed throughout the gym.
Jayhawks coach Ray Bechard said there is nothing in volleyball that will deflate an opponent like a loud block.
With Furman in strong position to take the second set, Payne came up huge with two spectacular blocks, halting Furman’s momentum twice and helping Kansas win its most difficult set in a 25-14, 25-21, 25-17 sweep in the Jayhawks’ NCAA Tournament opener that sets up a reboot of KU’s Border War with Missouri in the second round at 6:30 p.