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Dec. 12, 2024ST. JOSEPH, Mo.

Sundell, Kansas State return to St. Joe on five-game win streak

Serena Sundell and Kansas State meet Middle Tennessee Saturday at the Civic Arena in St. Joseph.

Serena Sundell and Kansas State meet Middle Tennessee Saturday at the Civic Arena. (Photo courtesy Kansas State Athletics)

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At 10-1 to start the season, No. 13 Kansas State has easily been worth the price of admission.

Fans in the area will have the chance to see the Wildcats, and Maryville native Serena Sundell, this weekend in the 2nd annual Bill Snyder Classic presented by the St. Joseph Sports Commission at the Civic Arena when they face Middle Tennessee.

The first showcase at the Civic featured a sellout with 3,500 fans watching K-State torch Mizzou 84-56 last December.

"It did not disappoint. The crowd was great." Sundell said Thursday afternoon looking back on the 2023 matchup.

Growing up just 40 minutes north of St. Joseph, the non-conference matchup has become a homecoming of sorts for Sundell.

"To see so many familiar faces and be back in St. Joe where I've spent so much of my life playing basketball, and so much time there, too. My grandparents still live there, so that's where we are always for the holidays. Just to be in a familiar town with so many people around me that support me is super special."

Sundell, Miss Show-Me Basketball in 2021, continues to add to a decorated career in Manhattan. She eclipsed 600 career assists in a December 3 win over Eastern Illinois. Shalee Lehning is the only other Wildcat to hit that mark. The 6'1" senior guard also became just the fifth K-State player, and the first since 2009, to secure a triple-double when she posted 26 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists in a win over USC Upstate.

"(My teammates) bought-in which was a lot of fun just to see them support me through that and to help me get those 10 rebounds to finish off the triple-double. That was a really fun game."

The Wildcats entered the year as the preseason pick to win the Big 12, and they have looked the part with an average margin of victory at 38.2 points. That includes a 39-point road win over Texas A&M earlier this week.

"That was a statement win just in the way that we did it, everyone was doing their part and playing their role." Sundell said. "The team we are right now is not who we want to be come March, so just to see us continue to figure things out and set higher goals for ourselves is exciting."

Kansas State's battle against the Blue Raiders (7-3) won't be easy. Middle Tennessee is coming off of a 30-win season and a trip to the NCAA Tournament's second round.

Game time Saturday in St. Joseph is scheduled for 5pm. Tickets are available here.