THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER 31,2007
SPORTS
VOLLEYBALL
3B
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
The Kansas volleyball team competes in "Dig for a Cure" Saturday against Oklahoma at the Horseshoe Athletics Center. Last year the first fundraiser was held at Kansas, the team collected $2,700.
Hawks play for more than a win
BY THOR NYSTROM
tnystrom@kansan.com
The Kansas volleyball team will "Dig for the Cure" in support of breast cancer research during Saturday's 7 p.m. match against Oklahoma at the Horesei Family Athletics Center.
Last season's first-ever "Dig for the Cure" match at Kansas raised $2,700.
"Anytime we can do something meaningful outside the court, I think it helps us to recognize that we have capabilities in other
areas — to utilize our skills in that way," assistant volleyball coach Christi Posey said. "We have some responsibility in the world besides just being an athlete and if we can provide some form of
"I've been trying, but so far I can't get Coach Bechard to wear a pink button down shirt," Posey joked, mentioning there would be pink ribbons handed out before the game.
Jayhawk players have been collecting pledges based on the amount of digs the team accrues over the course of the game. The total KU digs will be announced at the game's completion.
The Jayhawks have been collecting pledges and helping raise aware-
help through entertainment, I think that is important."
"Those of us in college athletics are very fortunate to be in a position where we can help others."
JIM MARCHIONY Associate Athletics Director
Fans in attendance can donate a flat sum at the game if they wish. Fans may also download a donation pledge form by going to the volleyball page on www.kuathletics.com, to either make a per-dig pledge or a one-time donation. Those in attn-
ness and recognition for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation throughout October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
"The great thing about sports is they
dig for the cure info
A flat fee can be donated at the volleyball game vs. Oklahoma, which is Saturday at 7 p.m.
>> "Dig for the Cure" is a fund in support of breast cancer research.
can rally people behind a great cause," Associate Athletics Director Jim Marchiony said. "Those of us involved in college athletics are very fortunate to be in a position where we can help others. We can be the catalyst for that kind of help, and we are only too happy to do so."
>> Or, you can download a donation form at www.kuathetics.com/sports/w-volley, where you can submit a one-time donation or a perdig donation.
The "Dig for the Cure" campaign was started in 2003 by UNC-Charlotte head coach Lisa Marston
Fans are encouraged to wear pink, and pink ribbons will be handed out before the game.
Assistant coach Posey knows Marston personally, after having sent a player she coached in high school to UNC-Charlotte.
The national fundraising goal is $200,000. Posey said that she thought the team would raise more than last year's number and that she expected a sellout to help. Oklahoma players are also participating in the fundraising event.
"We thought it was a great way for our players to give back," Posey said. "We hope we can keep anyone from being devastated by this disease. I would imagine most of us have had someone important to us that has been affected.
Edited by Ashlee Kieler
VOLLEYBALL
Senior keeps hope in disappointing season Jayhawks looking to make most of remaining seven games of season
BY RUSTIN DODDrdodd@kansan.com
Mindy Ricketts/KANSAN
Senior setter/right side hitter Emily Brown sees Kansas' trip to Waco, Texas as more than just a chance to salvage a conference victory during a season that has gone south in a hurry. Kansas has lost five matches in a row and eight of its last nine, but tonight's match against Baylor at 6:30 is the first of seven remaining matches for the Jayhawks.
"Seven more opportunities."
Seven mo Brown said.
"Our long-term goal is to make the NCAA tournament, and we still have plenty of opportunities to do that and to be above .500. It's still our goal, and a totally-doable and attainable goal."
brand of volleyball that has yet to be seen from Kansas this season if it wants to accomplish that goal. Kansas' recent struggles have the team sitting at 10-13 and 3-10 in the Big 12. Kansas's latest loss was a 3-2 defeat suffered at home on Saturday against Missouri. Coach Ray Bechard was pleased with his team's fight against Missouri.
Bechard said the only option the team had was to show up everyday for practice and keep working.
Savannah Noyes, junior middle blocker/right side hitter, makes a kill during game 2.
Noyes scored 10.5 points for the Jawhayks.
"Our long-term goal is to make the NCAA tournament,and we still have plenty of opportunities to do that. and to be above 500."
"Hopefully, some of those five-game matches will turn in our favor," Bechard said.
While Brown remains hopeful, the team will need to play a
EMILY BROWN
Senior setter/right side hitter
Kansas' first match against Baylor was a five-game match that didn't go the Jayhawks' way. Kansas built a 2-1 lead in that match, but allowed Baylor to win games four and five and win 3-2. Baylor used its victory
against Kansas as a springboard for a four-game winning streak. The
Bears have followed up the victory in Lawrence with victories against Colorado, TCU and Texas Tech. Baylor is 13-10 and 5-7 in the Big 12. Brown said Kansas didn't have to worry about finding motivation tonight.
"That's a game we wish we could have back here," Brown said.
Brown, a Baldwin City native, has put together a stellar senior campaign. Splitting time at the setter and right side hitter position,
Brown has proven very versatile.
She has recorded triple-doubles in six matches this season. Her latest came against Missouri on Saturday. Brown had 17 kills, 29 assists and 15 digs against the Tigers. With seven games left in her Kansas career, Brown is trying to stay positive.
"We have a couple more at home and we still have a chance," Brown said.
—Edited by Luke Morris
game preview
**WHO?** Kansas (10-13, 3-10 Big 12)
vs. Baylor (13-10, 5-7 Big 12)
**WHEN?** 6:30 p.m.
**WHERE?** Waco, Texas
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kansas
Natalie Uhart, junior, middle blocker
Uhart had her best game in a Kansas uniform on Saturday against Missouri. Uhart, a 2006 transfer from Long Beach State, missed
all of last season with a knee injury and missed 10 games this season to receive treatment for congenital heart
Uhart
defect. But Uhart had 19 kills and 12 blocks against Missouri. She is now 10th in the Big 12 in blocks per game with 1.21 per game.
Baylor
Anna Breyfogle, sophomore,
middle block
middle blocker
Baylor's Anna
Breyfogle is
first in the Big
12 with 1.67
blocks per
game, and
ninth in hitting
percentage
with a 348
percentage.
The Buda, Texas
Breyfogle
native started all 33 matches last year for Baylor, and she had 14 kills and 9 blocks against Kansas on Oct. 17.
ON DECK
Kansas returns home to the Horeis Family Athletics Center on Saturday to play Oklahoma at 7:00 p.m. Kansas lost to Oklahoma 3-1 in Norman, Oka, on Sept. 15.
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