NSAN
2007
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2007
SPORTS
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VOLLEYBALL
Season's struggles provide fodder for team's offseason improvements
Coaches expect to close gap against tough competition
Caitlin Mahoney, senior middle blocker/right side, and Natalie Uhart, senior middle blocker, jump to block a spike from a Texas hitter Wednesday night in the Hosei College Athletics Center. Texas sweats Kansas in three aumes.
Jon Goerina/KANSAN
BY RUSTIN DODD
rdodd@kansan.com
A funny thing happened to coach Ray Bechard after his volleyball team closed out its season with a 3-0 victory against Texas Tech on Nov. 21. Bechard watched as Iowa State, Michigan State, Oregon, Nebraska and Texas advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16.
Those teams accounted for eight of Kansas' 17 losses, and Kansas was three points away from taking a 3-2 victory against Iowa State on Nov. 17. Yep, Bechard started to feel pretty good about his team.
"I think sometimes it looks like there is a big gap when really we're not that far away," Bechard said. "Bottom line is we had some matches we really needed to close that we didn't."
But Bechard said he was excited about the way his team finished the season.
Bechard said his team would now be focused on offseason workouts. Volleyball players can practice individually eight hours a week with the Kansas coaching staff.
Kansas won three of its last six matches, including victories against No. 18 Oklahoma, at Colorado and at Texas Tech.
"Now we can really break some things down individually," Bechard said.
One thing Kansas will need to work on is its team offense. The Jayhawks were second to last in the Big 12 with a .184 team hitting percentage. Beachard said the key to improving was getting in the gym and getting repetitions.
BRITTANY WILLIAMS'
RETURN
Those six weeks will be crucial for a team that loses two seniors, Emily Brown
Beginning in March and April, the team has a six-week training session, where the players can be together for 20 hours a week.
Bechard said no timetable existed for the return of sophomore middle blocker Brittany Williams.
"Bottom line is we had some crucial matches that we really needed to close that we didn't."
RAY BECHARD Kansas volleyball coach
and Caitlin Mahoney, but returns 14 players to the fold. Beard is confident that his young team will continue to develop.
Williams tore her anterior cruciate ligament during a late September practice. Bechard is hopeful that Williams will be healthy next fall. "If everything works out she would be in a situation where next fall she would be
with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Bechard anticipates that Uhart will be the healthiest she has been since suffering her knee injury.
ready to go." Bechard said.
Edited by Jeff Briscoe
much needed rest for junior middle blocker Natalie Uhart.
Uhart missed 10 matches this season with a congenital heart defect after missing all of 2006
"This is exactly what she needs." Bechard said.
REST FOR NATALIE UHART
volleyball season recap
Record:
LEARN:
13-17, 6-14 Big 12
Leaders:
Kills: Freshman Jenna Kaiser, 2.86 kills per game
Assists: Senior Emily Brown, 6.60 assists per game
Blocks: Junior Natalie Uhart, 1.17 assists per game
Aces: Freshman Karina Garling-
ton, 0.33 assists per game
Digs Freshman Melissa Manda
3.97 djos per game
Team stats:
Kills per game: 14.05
Assists per game: 12.83
Blocks per game: 2.35
Aces per game: 1.83
Digs per game: 14.49
Hitting percentage: 184
》 CROSS COUNTRY
Wissel finishes successful career
BY TYLER PASSMORE
tpassmore@kansan.com
Behind a prolific career is an inexhaustible athlete. Cast in a shadow of accolades stands senior cross country runner Colby Wissel.
In his tenure at Kansas, Wissel has accomplished feats that have not been touched since the 1950s. One of those was becoming an All-American for the second straight year. But despite becoming the fifth runner in lajayh history to be christened a back-to-back All-American, Wissel has remained the same down-to-earth Nebraska native who loves read
Wissel
ing and David Bowie.
"I am a big reader and spend a lot of time reading." Wissel said. "I also like hanging out with my dogs and relaxing with my friends."
When most athletes reach the height of their success, they credit the most influential person in their life. Wissel's rattles off his response almost as fast as the times he posted.
"My dad," Wissel said. "I was always around him as a kid because he was a high school coach. He has had such an influence on my life, while not just helping me in sports but also growing as a person. I owe him a lot."
So, for the seemingly average student-athlete, the seemingly Herculean course times and numerous awards are the reasons he'll be remembered.
Wissel's career
— Two-year All-American
— Big 12 Champion
— All-Region (3 times)
— All-Conference (3 times)
— Kansas State Invitational champion (3 times)
— Bob Timmons Invitational champion (3 times)
— Academic All-Big 12 sec-
Academic All-Big 12 second team
"I can't whistle," he said.
Wissel shredded the KU record book and his future is bright. He said he would like to continue running and following his dreams, but he has a backup plan. For Wissel, an accounting major, if the future does not hold a running career, it does hold a future in athletics.
But with all the things Wissel can do, one of his flaws may surprise people.
"I would like to get an athletics job." Wissel said. "Whether that is with the Athletics Department or not, I would like to stay involved and active with athletics."
For students and fans who haven't had the opportunity to watch Wissel compete, there is still time. This spring, Wissel will run indoor track and then track and field, and his opportunity to wear red, white and blue for his country on the world's biggest stage may be approaching.
— Edited by Tara Smith
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