Thursday, November 4, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
Kansas acquires new offensive, defensive game philosophies
By Matt Tait sports@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
By Matt Tait
Saturday night, the Kansas basketball team will step on the court to play its first preseason game of the 1999-2000 season. And for the past three weeks, it has spent practices installing new offensive and defensive philosophies.
Before practices started nearly three weeks ago, Coach Roy Williams revealed that he and his staff were planning to experiment with new offenses that capitalized on the tremendous size the Jayhawks have.
So, how's the offense coming?
Slowly, Williams said. But that's mainly because this is the first week they really have installed anything new.
"It's hard to play a real aggressive style and play with poise." Williams said. "I want to play at a fast, fast, fast tempo, and I want us to get good shots."
The new offense is designed to do just that.
Specifically, two new offensive sets have been installed, both with the intention of getting the ball to the big guys and shooters who can score.
As for the first few weeks of practice, Williams said senior Nick Bradford and junior Kenny Gregory had impressed him the most so far.
"Nick has just been fantastic," Williams said. "He's been very vocal and very enthusiastic. He's been the best leader by far."
Sophomore guard Marlon London said without hesitation who he thought was the team leader.
"I'd say Nick Bradford," London said. "He's been vocal and really kept everybody going."
While Bradford's enthusiasm and leadership has not surprised Williams that much, Gregory's has. However, Gregory's biggest asset has been his mindset.
"I've been more pleased with Kenny's mental makeup than anything," Williams said.
Gregory, who has a history of back problems, now plays through the pain and is not bothered by banged up knees or twisted ankles. Perhaps it is because he is aware that if he doesn't play through it, he may not play at all because of the team's tremendous depth.
"He's finally started acting like he's older than 6," Williams said. "But those two guys I'm more pleased with than anybody."
Williams still has not looked at compiling a starting lineup and said he would not until sometime after the second exhibition game.
"I may put something screwy out there Saturday night," Williams said. "And I may change it at half-time and make it more screwy. I might make it the guys that eat the most during pregame, and I might make it the guys that eat the least. Or I might make it the five guys that have played the best."
At any rate, Williams said he anticipated that whichever five he put on the court would be ready to play an opponent.
"The players, I'm sure, are looking forward to Saturday, because they're tired of beating up on each other," Williams said.
- Edited by Kelly Clasen
Soccer completes first successful season
By Chris Wristen
sports@kansan.com
Kansas writer/sportwriter
Players shatter records receive region ranking
Improvements were made and team records were shattered as the Kansas soccer team delivered its most successful season in program history.
In his first campaign as coach, Mark Francis' team finished its season 8-10-1, the best record in team history.
Other records fell as well. Team records for assists, saves, consecutive home wins and most consecutive games scoring also were broken. Four other team records were tied, and every attendance record was shattered.
Goals of a postseason berth and a winning record weren't accomplished, but Francis still saw the year as a success.
"Compared to last season, we did very well," Francis said. "We had the best record ever, and we tied our best conference record. We also got ranked in the region for the first time ever, which is the first step to getting ranked in the country."
and sophomore forward Nat Hoogveld. Rantala set the single season scoring record with five goals and six assists for 16 points. Hoogveld earned Big 12 Conference Player of the Week honors and led the Jayhawks with six goals.
The future should be bright for the Jayhawks. Many of this season's top performers will be returning next year, including junior forward Hilla Rantala
"I think they'll do very well," Francis said. "As the year went on they began to understand each other better, and that'll help heading toward next year."
"I think they'll do very well."
Schroeder lifted the midfield with her speed, while Colvin added offensive punch. Lents scored two game-winning goals this year while Watts gave muscle to the midfield.
Also shining on the offensive attack was junior Meghann Haven, who set school records for career and season assists this season. Sophomore Melanie Schroeder and Juniors Katie Lents, Colleen Colvin and Kylie Watts also will be back.
Haven said she expected the team to be tough next season.
"I think we're going to be a force to be mocked with" Hayen said. "I think
Defensively, seniors Lindsey Loeffler, Cynthia Dahle and Eunya Di Cesare anchored a
we were this year, but we'll be even more so next year. We're going to surprise a lot of people next year."
defense that held opponents to one of the lowest goal totals allowed in program history.
"Our defense did very well," Francis said. "Our organization as a defense was good. There were some times when we let down and let in some soft goals, but overall it was good."
While many on-field improvements took place, the biggest change came in the attitude of the team.
"We improved in everybody's attitudes," Lents said. "Everybody came together for one common goal, and we all worked really hard for that."
Kansas will have some big shoes to fill as the Jayhawks are losing five seniors. In addition to Dahle and Loeffler, senior goalkeepers Betsy Pollard, Laura Rohde and midfielder Melissa Downing concluded their careers.
Freshmen Nikki Wahle and Bridget Goyen will attempt to fill that void. However, the main gap to be filled will be in goalkeeping.
"We're recruiting goalkeepers right now," Francis said. "We need someone who can come in and be at this level right away."
Following this season's success and with the crew he has returning, Francis said he thought his team was on its way up.
"We're definitely going in the right direction." Francis said. "For the first year, to have our best record, I'm very happy. But we're still not where we need to be yet."
Edited by Kelly Clasen
Gritty effort not enough as Jayhawks fall to 'Huskers
Continued from page 1B
"There were points when their physicalness just kind of took over," Kansas coach Ray Bechard said. "Nebraska definitely makes a team earn every point."
Those points just didn't come for Kansas in the second game. The game was tied 3-3 when Nebraska went on another run. By the time it was finished, the Cornhuskers led 13-9 on 6-foot-2 middle blocker Jenny Kropp's two block assists.
Kansas held off the Cornhuskers during nine straight rallies that ended in sideouts, but eventually was overcome 15-9. The Jayhawks lost the third game 15-10 after suffering through nine more Nebraska blocks.
"They scored points pretty easily," Bechard said. "Then they turn around and make you work your butt off."
Kansas recorded a lowly .141 hitting percentage in the match, while the Cornhuskers hit .244.
"I don't think it was frustrating as far as our hitting went." Reves said. "I think it was just frustrating as far as our overall defense and our passing."
The Jayhawks were led by Reves, who had 13 kills, giving her 1,150 for her career, on her record-breaking night. Myatt added 11 kills, while senior outside hitter Mary Beth Albrecht recorded nine. LaMere paced the Jayhawks with 37 assists.
"We didn't go away, that's for sure," Bechard said. "We hung in there as long as we could."
Next up for Kansas is a road match at 7 p.m. Saturday against Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. The Jayhawks won the first meeting between the two schools 3-1 on Oct. 2 in Lawrence.
- Edited by Chris Hutchison
Kansas middle blocker Amanda Reves spikes the ball past a Nebraska defender. Revs broke the record for most kills by a Kansas volleyball player last night against the Cornhuskers. Photo by Eric
Sahrmann/KANSAN
Reves sets Kansas career kill mark
By Chris Wristen
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
It's happened a thousand times before. Well, 1,150 times now to be exact.
entering last night's volleyball match against No. 13 Nebraska, Amanda Reves was 10 kills shy of the school record for career kills. With the Jayhawks trailing 2-1 early in the third game, Kansas executed the same play it has done successfully roughly 300 times this year alone. Sophomore Molly LaMere set the ball for Reves, who delivered a thundering kill. While the play was the same, the kill was different. It broke Judy Desch's record of 1,146 kills which had stood since 1987.
The record crowd at Horejsi Family Athletics Center erupted in jubilation at the feat, but the mark
didn't phase Reves a bit. Kansas lost to Nebraska 3-0.
In fact, Reves wasn't interested in the record and had hopes that it would be broken someday. The only numbers she's concerned with are those in the win column.
"I'm trying to win more games, that's all," Reves said. "Hopefully, it's going to be broken by someone else. I think this program has something to look forward to."
That response comes as no surprise to Coach Ray Bechard, who knows Reves has worked for everything she has accomplished.
"This is a story of somebody nobody recruited, nobody really paid any attention to, and four years later she's got more kills than anybody in school history." Bechard said. "That's just a direct reflection on her commitment and work
ethic."
When Reves came to Kansas four years ago she walked on the volleyball team with hardly any expectations. Now, everyone has high expectations of her. She is looked to by her teammates to lead, and they know they can rely on her.
"I always know there's someone I can count on whenever we need a kill or we ever need a point-scoring opportunity," LaMere said. "I have the confidence I can go to her and she'll get the job done."
Reves is more than willing to get the job done, just as long as she can help the team win games and change the program in the process.
"I just want to change people's minds that we can believe we can do more than we've been doing, that we're a better team." Reves said.
— Edited by Chris Hutchison
DAILY DRINK SPECIALS
4pm - 2am Mon. - Sat.
12pm - 12am Sunday
623 Vermont Lawrence
749-5067
JOCK'S NITCH FALL KU CLEARANCE SALE HOLIDAY INN HOLIDOME
SAVE 25% to 75%
Athletic Shoes, Nike & Adidas Tees.
College Pro Tee's & Crews
we will be liquidating to the public over $200,000 of first quality name brand merchandise.
$12.99 Kansas Sweatshirts
$6.99 Kansas T-Shirts & Hats
Special Group of $20.00 Najee Leather Boots
NOV. 4, 5 10AM - 9PM
CLEARANCE SALE
Nov. 6, 10AM-5PM
Holiday Inn Holidome 200 McDonald Drive
JCPenney Styling Salon
We're Hair For You!
Lawrence • 331-0330
Sun 11-6, Mon-Fri 8-9, Sat 8-6
Appearing at: Tremors
Date: Nov 13 Time: 7:00 pm.
Call the Chippendale info line
toll free at 1-888-799-CHIP for ticket
information or to purchase with a credit card.
Experience the magic of the original Chippendales.
You can order tickets anytime by logging on to the web site at
www.chippendales.com
1