THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, JULY 14, 20
COVERAGE
ESPN3 to stream all home
BEN CARROLL
sports@kansan.com
The University's volleyball team will have every home match aired on the ESPN3 platform as well as two matches on national television this season, the Big 12 Conference announced Monday.
This is the second straight season that the volleyball team will have all home matches televised on ESPN3. Coach Ray Bechard said this is to create more accessibility for fans who can't be immersed in the action in person.
"Most significantly, we have a number of families from out of state that can't make every match," Bechard said. "I think the ESPN3 option for them is a really big deal."
Two national stations, ESPNU and Fox Sports Network (FSN), will air two of the team's matches, which is one more than last year. The Big 12 will have five matches total in the national spotlight this season.
Kansas' first national appearance will be on Oct. 5 when the Jayhawks host the defending Big 12 champions, the Texas Longhorns, at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center at 1 p.m., which will be televised on ESPNU. The second appearance will be on FSN two weeks later on Oct. 22 against Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
According to Bechard, accessibility and exposure for the team aren't the only parts of the program positively affected it may also act as a recruiting nugget in the future.
"It helps create opportunity for those who may be interested from a recruitment standpoint to catch the Jayhawks in opportunity where they
might not get that chance to." Bechard said. "Obviously, we have to play well in those opportunities, but it does add a level of exposure that we might not normally get."
Bechard said the Big 12 has a high level of competition and is one of the best volleyball conferences in the NCAA. He said playing on national television will show the entire country.
"Six or seven years ago when we were in the middle of the pack, we weren't getting as much opportunity," Bechard said. "Back-to-back topthree finishes probably created some added opportunities for what these networks thought would be highly competitive matches."
Associate Athletics Director Jim Marchiony said airing the games on national television will not cost Athletics any money because Kansas was selected based on past recent success last year the team went 25-8 and finished second in the Big 12.
Marchiony said it's also a chance to create a lasting effect on the University as a whole.
"Anytime that you can get on national television it's a shot on the arm for not only that particular sport, but it's also a shot on the arm for the University and for Athletics," he said. "It's a chance to showcase your team on a national scale and that certainly has positive effects."
In addition to ESPN3, Time Warner Cable Sports Channel will also air every home match. Away matches will not be televised except for the Iowa State match on FSN.
The season begins Aug.29 at home against Utah Valley at 11:30 a.m.
Edited by Emma LeGault
Sophomore middle blocker Tay will televise all home volleyba
Aug. 29 Lipscon
Sept. 9 UMKC
Aug. 30 Creight
Aug. 29 Utah Va
Sept. 19 North
Sept. 19 Clevela
Sept. 20 Arkans
Oct. 1 Kansas S