Thursday, April 29, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section B·Page 3
Underdog 'Hawks rely on 'intensity'
By Melinda Weaver
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas men's tennis team will enter the Big 12 Conference tournament as an underdog, but it is a role in which the No. 50 Jayhawks have been successful in the past.
Kansas, 11-7 overall and 3-5 in the conference, is the sixth seed in the tournament for the second year in a row. Last season, the team defeated third seed Oklahoma in the opening round
The Jayhawks will play No. 22 Texas & M (14.5, 6-2) tomorrow at its home court in College Station.
The two teams met April 11 in Lawrence, and Texas A&M came away with a 5-2 victory.
The Aggies swept the doubles matches, and only Kenny Powell and Rodrigo Echagaray put together singles wins.
However, the match was much closer than that. Luis Uribe, Ed Dus and Alex Barragan all lost tie-breakers in their first sets, each losing 7-6, 6-3.
"We were a couple of tie-breakers away from beating Texas A&M in the first meeting." Powell said. "Now, we have more experience and have put more hard work into it. We know not to back off when we are close but to just finish it." Coach Mark Riley said the
Coach Mark Riley said the team could beat
KANSAS TENNIS
Texas A&M if it could play better doubles.
"In our last meeting, we played horrible doubles," Riley said. "We have to assert ourselves in doubles right away. The intensity level has to be high."
The loss to Texas A&M came in the midst of a four-match losing streak in which Kansas lost to No. 7 Texas 5-2, Texas A&M, No. 9 Baylor 7-0 and No. 32 Texas Tech 5-2.
Kansas ended the season on a winning note Saturday by defeating Oklahoma State 5-2.
Kansas was able to win the doubles point for the first time in five matches with the combinations of Powell-Luis Uribe, Echagaray-Barragan and Quentin Blakeney-Brian Majer.
Powell, Barragran, Echagaray and Micah Zomer had singles victories.
"We're better off than we were a week ago," Riley said. "I think we are where we need to be. I feel like we can compete and do well in the tournment."
Since the Big Eight adopted a team format for the conference championships in 1993, Kansas has never lost a first-round matchup. In their 7-0 streak, the Jayhawks have defeated opponents 25-2.
This year, the Jayhawks face the challenge of trying to beat Texas A&M on its home courts, but Riley does not think that will be a problem.
Kansas captured three Big Eight titles from 1994-96 but have never won a Big 12 title. The Jayhawks and the Aggies have met twice before in tournament play, splitting the results. In 1997, Kansas won 4-1 in the quarterfinals, and in 1998, the Aggies beat Kansas 4-0 in the semifinals.
"Playing against the home crowd will pick up our intensity level," Riley said. "I'm sure we'll come out and play our best match of the season due to the environment. Some people think playing on the road is an advantage because you have more focus, so maybe playing at home will affect Texas A&M a little."
Powell, 12-6 this spring, won nine of his first ten matches before hitting a four-match slump. He has won three of his last four. No. 34 Uibe, 7-12 this spring, has lost his last eight in a row.
Riley said the responsibility lies on the seniors to lead the team to victory.
Powell said he and Uribe were ready for the challenge.
"We are fired up and have been working hard." Powell said. "For Luis and I, this could be our last college match, at least the last team match. We plan to work harder than we have all year."
If Kansas wins Friday, it will play the winner of the Baylor-Oklahma match Saturday.
NFL great speaks out against evil in America
Edited by Aerica Veazey
The Associated Press
TOPEKA — Retired Chiefs running back Marcus Allen used the floor of the Kansas House and Senate to speak out against an "evil environment" plaguing America and to urge adults to pay more attention to their children.
The Kansas Legislature honored the pro football Hall of Fame-bound Allen yesterday, adopting a resolution enumerating his successes during a 16-year career with the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, and his charitable work.
Allen told solemn audiences in both houses that he wants to be a voice for reason, good and justice in a world in which there is too much evil. He received standing ovations before and after his remarks in both chambers.
"We have to give them tim; we have to give them love — above all, love and guidance and support. And it takes more than just a family. It takes a community to raise kids," he said.
He said everybody must pay more attention to young people.
He referred to last week's shootings at a Littleton, Colo., high school.
"It scares me," Allen said,
"When I hear there is information on the Web site, on the Internet, about how to make a bomb.
'Hawks lose to'Cats,13-3 prepare for weekend series
Making a better, safer world starts with children, Allen said — "embracing them, encouraging them, and leading them in the right direction. Giving them the strength to clear the hurdles they have to clear in life" is the starting point.
"I just had to say that," Allen said. "It was on my heart."
By Matt Tait
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
In what served as a tune-up for this weekend's Big 12 Conference series with Kansas State, the Kansas baseball team spun off track as it was defeated 13-3.
The game, technically a Wildcat home game, was played in Wichita at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium where the Wildcats (20-23, 6-14) dominated from start to finish.
annually and this season the nonconference games fell on Kansas State's home cycle.
Renovations on the Wildcats' stadium have forced the team to play its home games all across the state. Tonight, it was Wichita's turn to host K-State's "home game."
The 'Hawks (11-34, 4-23) managed three runs on just four hits but committed two costly errors in the defeat.
Every year, the 'Hawks and Wildcats schedule two non-conference games in addition to their regularly scheduled conference meetings. The contests alternate
The loss keeps Coach Bobby Randall at 399 career wins, one shy of the 400-win milestone. If Randall gets the win this weekend, it will make him the fifth active coach in the Big 12 with 400 wins.
The two teams will again lock up this weekend when the Wildcats come to Lawrence for three games. The series will be the Jayhawks' final conference series of the season. Game one will begin Friday night at 7.
Edited by Melody Ard
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