Just one match into the 2007 season, coach Suzie Fritz could say something about her team that wouldn't have been true a year ago. "The biggest thing that I saw is this team has a mentality that they are going to win the close ones," Fritz said. "They proved that to me this weekend."

K-State overcame a 2-1 deficit to edge No. 14 Cal Poly Friday in the opening round of the Shocker Volleyball Classic.

The Wildcats followed that victory with back-to-back wins against North Texas and Wichita State on Saturday to claim the tournament title.

The win over Cal Poly was K-State's first five-game victory since 2005.

Nataly Korobkova, the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year, led the Wildcats with 26 kills against the Mustangs.

Fritz said Korobkova is finding her niche on the court.

"She is exceptional," Fritz said. "When we needed a kill at critical times, she was the one we went to. She lived up to our expectations of her. She is just a very special player and extremely talented."

After taming the Mustangs, K-State went on to defeat North Texas 3-0 Saturday.

K-State won the third game 30-6, setting a school record for fewest points allowed.

North Texas struggled to convert kills, recording just 19 on 96 attacks.

Senior Angie Lastra added 12 digs for K-State.

"Angie is a playmaker," Fritz said. "She made a lot of subtle little plays happen. She makes a thousand little plays that keep our team in system that a lot of people might not even notice."

Finally, the Wildcats shocked Wichita State in front of 6,024 fans Saturday, winning 3-1 to seal the title.

"I thought we played well late in games," Fritz said. "That gave us the opportunity to win matches."

After finishing 0-5 in five-game matches in 2006, the Wildcats already have shown improvement with their five-game win against Cal Poly.

Now that the 2007 season is underway, the Wildcats' 2006 finish will not haunt them anymore.

"We're over last year," Fritz said. "We are just looking forward now."

The Wildcats' home opener is set for Tuesday at 6 p.m. against the Houston Cougars at Ahearn Field House.