4B
Wednesday, August 18, 1993
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Reaching for the sky
Jayhawks drill on defense to meet goals of postseason play and a regional ranking
By Gerry Fey
Kansan sportswriter
Defense has been the focus for the Kansas volleyball team in its preparation for tough competition in the coming season, Coach Frankie Albitz said.
in the coming week more defense and trying to improve us in handling." Abitz said. "We will need it for our schedule. Every team we play, besides the Kansas, Invitation.
aI, is either nationally or regionally ranked.
VOLLEYBALL
The invitational will be Sept. 10-11, but the next tournament might be the true test for the team. The Nebraska tournament Sept. 17-18 in Lincoln will have nationally ranked teams such as Georgia, Albiz said.
hz said.
Cynlee Kanabel said she was excited about starting her senior season. The players met before practice started and came up with team goals.
fice started and came up with the "We want to end up in the top three of the Big Eight so we can go to the Big Eight tournament." Kanabel said. "Getting a regional rank is also one of 'he big goals. It is really hard to get a national rank with so many good teams."
The team missed the tournament last year, and that was a big disappointment. Kanabel said.
Assistant coach Karen Schonewise said the team's major goal was to make the NCAA tournament. The tournament showcases the best 32 teams in the nation.
Another postseason tournament, the National Invitational Volleyball Championships, will be held Dec. 2-5 in Kansas City, Mo.
"We're the host team for the NIC tournament this year, but we would rather go to the NCAA tournament." Schonewise said. "I think it's a realistic goal."
g
Last year, expectations for the team were too
high, Albitz said.
high, Afzib said.
"I don't know why people thought we would be good," she said. "Last year, we lost key players. I knew we would struggle."
It took the team several matches to adjust to losing those players, Albizt said. This year, losing players to graduation might not be the problem.
ers to graduation might be the one. Abtiz said she was disappointed in last year's Big Eight Conference record. She said she also wanted a schedule change.
"We need to play tougher teams at this point," she said. "This year we're going to do that."
Kanabel said this year's schedule was full of good teams.
teams. "We are going to the Nebraska and Pittsburgh tournaments, and there will be great teams there," she said. "I think the tougher the competition the better you play."
After you pay
Schonewise said she was excited about the coming season. She said the team was competitive at every position this year.
"We have a lot of talent," Schinewise said. "It will be hard to choose the starting lineup."
Kamileli
Define that, Albitz does not expect a high preseason ranking for her team this year.
"the preseason rank can put pressure on a team," she said. "We usually only get a Big Eight ranking. If anything, we are ranked low, and it gives us some incentive."
incentive.
The Jayhawks have a tough conference schedule this year, Alitz said. Nebraska and Colorado are both top 20 teams.
"Oklahoma may be strong, but you just never know in the Big Eight," she said. "Other teams are improving like us."
"The Big Eight will be a roller coaster," Kanabel said. "There are usually five teams in the race."
Kanabel said the top four teams advance to the conference tournament.
The two keys needed to compete through the tough schedule will be team passing and good serving throughout the game, Albitz said.
"You have to have passers and good serving, then everything else will fall in line," she said.
John Gamble/KANSAN
The team's first match will be 7 p.m. Sept. 1 in Allen Field House against Wichita State. Albizt said there were not any specific things the team was working on to prepare for the Shockers.
working on our preparation."
"Right now, we're trying to get the team ready," she said. "We are finding our strengths and weaknesses."
Kanabel said she was ready for the first match against Wichita. Last year, Kansas lost to the Shockers, dropping the series record to 24-10, in Kansas' favor.
"Before last year, I don't think we have ever lost to them since I've been at Kansas." Kaneba said. "They're our state rivals. Plus, it's a really big deal to win that first game."
Tracie Watt, Lincoln, Neb., sophomore, and Jenny Wiedeke, Evergreen, Colo., freshman, attempt to return a ball during volleyball practice Tuesday at Robinson Center
1993 Jayhawk Volleyball Schedule
Sept. 1 WIHTHA STATE 7 p.m.
Sept. 34 N Northern Illinois Tournai All Day
Sept. 62 NIUWAI 10 p.m.
Sept. 10-11 KUVINATIONAL 10 a.m.
Sept. 17-18 Nebraska Tournament All Day
Sept. 24-25 Pittsburgh Tournament #4 Day
Oct. 10 Oklahoma 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Oklahoma 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 6 KANSAS STATE 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Iowa State 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 MISSOURI 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 Nebraska 7:30 p.m.
 Oct. 22 COLORADO 7:30 p.m.
 Oct. 23 SOUTHWEST MISSOURI ST 3 p.m.
 Oct. 27 Missouri 7:30 p.m.
 Oct. 30 IOWA STATE 7:30 p.m.
 Nov. 6 at Colorado 8:30 p.m.
 Nov. 10 NEBRASKA 8:30 p.
 Nov. 14 OLHOMA 3 p.m.
 Nov. 17 at KANE State 7:30 p.m.
 Nov. 27 Big Eight Tournament
 at Ormah, Neb. All Day
 Dec. 25 National Invitational Volleyball
 Championships (Kansas City, Mo.)
 Home matches ALL CAPS-held in Allen Field House
DeHoff loss won't kill volleyball
KANSAN
By Gerry Fey
Kansan.sportswriter
Losing a good player is tough, but if she was also a Big Eight volleyball leader in kills last year, it can be devastating for a coach.
Frankie Albitz, Kansas volleyball coach, is faced with that dilemma this year after losing player Kim DeHoff, but she said it might not be a problem.
DeHoff was one of the ten best in the Big Eight for kills last season with a team-high 316. She also led the team with a .274 attack percentage. A percentage of .300 is considered excellent.
well-filled," Albitz said.
"Right now her position is pretty well-filled," Ab
Cyndee Kan-
abel, a 5-foot-9
inch senior, and
Jenny Larson, a
5-9 sophomore,
will be stepping
in where
DeHoff left.
DeHoff
Kanabel said the team would miss is DeHoff's height. DeHoff
was one of the taller players on the team last year at 6 feet 1 inch tall.
"We returned two All-Big Eight selections from last year. We were really young. Now, those freshman have a year under their belt."
"I don't think we'll have a real problem," Kanabel said. "When you'll tail, you get more blocks, but you're not as quick. We're small but quicker."
Kanabel said Kansas led the Big Eight in digs last year, but that may have been because of the lack of good blocking up front.
"If you lose it in some areas, you have to pick up in others," she said. "We should have better blocking this year, and we really need to improve from last year."
DeHoff's talent may not be the only thing missed. The fact that DeHoff was a senior makes it a bit tougher, Albitz said.
"You always miss your seniors, but Cyndey is a good player and the others are doing well too," Albitz said.
ADVERTISE IN THE DAILY KANSAN FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS
SHONEYS
America's Dinner Table 843-3519
A Jayhawk Tradition
ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST BAR over 50 items Mon-Fri also LATE NIGHT BREAKFAST BAR Fri & Sat 10 p.m.-3 a.m.
$ 399
24th & Iowa 10% off with Student I.D.
---
NABI Biomedical Center can help you find it!
Looking For Big Money?
Get $15 cash every time you donate! Earn up to $135 a month!
Mon-Thurs 9:00-6:00 Friday 9:00-5:00
816 W.24th (Behind Laird Noller)
---
Grand Opening
It's Coming...
August 23rd through September 3rd
Come to the Burge Union and enter into a drawing where you could win a brand new PowerBook. This is your chance to invest in a new computer at their lowest prices ever. Macintosh. The power to be your best.
union technology center
Academic Computer Supplies & Equipment
Burge Union * Level 3 * 913/864-5690