Sports University Daily Kansan / Thursday, September 7, 1989 13 Cheryl Hanly/KANSAN Shoving match Colleen Kelly, St. Louis junior, left, tries to steal the ball from Joanie Klauser, Overland Park junior, at the women's soccer team's first practice of the season. The team practiced yesterday afternoon at Shenk Complex, 23rd and Iowa streets. Season looks promising 5 starters return to court Lady Jayhawks in '89-'90 By Paula Parrish Kansan sportswriter The key to Coach Marian Washington's approach to her very inexperienced young team last year was patience. This year, she thinks that a little excitement about the upcoming season could be allowed to creep in. "We're more excited, but patience is still a necessity," Washington said. "We should be excited, though, because once we allow these girls to get their feet wet, they are going to be a strong group." Washington begins this season with five returning starters and seven newcomers. Those numbers are comforting considering last year, when Washington began with one returning starter and seven newcomers. "I enjoyed the players I had, but I will even more so this year." Washington said. "We have a little more experience and depth after last season." The Jayhawks finished with a 13-14 regular season record and a 5-9 conference record. "We had to depend a great deal or a few of our freshmen like Marthea McCloud, Danielle Shareef, and Geri Hart," Washington said. "They saw a lot of playing time, and I think that we should see a lot of improvement in their performances and in their confidence." Five-foot-10 McCloud and 5-9 Shareef are both forwards. Hart is a 5-8 guard. McCloud, unfortunately, will be redshirted this season. Washington said, to allow her to recover from major knee surgery she underwent this summer to repair a torn ligament she sustained with three games remaining in the season. "Shareef is an extremely hard worker," Washington said. "Every day this summer, she's worked out, scrimmaged, virtually by herself. She displays a lot of what (Lynette) Woodard would have done when she was here." Sophomores who will be returning to play, besides Shareef and Hart, include 5-9 forward/guard Shannon Bloxam, and 5-8 forward Tanya Bonham. "Shannon was our shooter last year," Washington said. "She helped us beat Wake Forest in triple overtime last year. When she's hot, she is one of the finest players in the conference." Other players that Washington will utilize on the inside include 6-2 center Sandra deBruin and returning 6-4 senior center Lymn Page. DeBruin is an incoming junior college transfer from the Western Community College in Iowa. Washington said Bonham got as much playing time last year as is normal for a freshman player. this season. I expect Sandra to help the team with her ability to run the floor, but her biggest goal should be to work on her upper body strength." Completing the inside team will be 6-2 forward Misti Cheennault and 5-11 forward Terrilyn Johnson. Johnson sat out last year under Proposition 48. Both will be newcomers to the team. "She and Lynn will play together from time to time," Washington said. "Lynn is the most experienced player on the inside that we will have On the perimeter, besides Bloxom and Hart, will be 5-9 senior guard Michelle Arnold, 5-11 freshman guard Shannon Kite, 5-10 freshman guard Stacy Truitt, 5-7 senior guard Lisa Braddy, and 5-10 freshman guard Jo Jo Witerspoon. "Braddy and Hart are the most experienced," Washington said. "I thought Lisa struggled terribly last month, now she is encouraging, serious." Trutt was heavily recruited by Kansas, She led Port Gibson High School in Mississippi to four straight class 3A state titles. "If we have Kite and Bloxom on the floor when teams are trying to zone us, we'll be in decent shape." Two walk-ons that Washington has a lot of confidence in are 5-7 senior guard Liz Roark and Tara Yoder. Roark played for Kansas last year and in South America this summer. Yoder has participated in Washington's basketball camps for several years. Witherspoon will help to extend pressure on the defense in the back court. Two'Hawks nab honors Award for Sands from Big Eight surprises Mason By Paula Parrish Kansan sportswriter Kansas coach Glen Mason wasn't surprised that strong safety Deral Boykin was named Big Eight defensive player of the week, but it did come as a surprise that running back Tony Sands was named player of the week as well, on the offensive side. "Not because of his performance," said Mason during a press conference yesterday afternoon. "But Oklahoma had three or four guys that might have qualified." Oklahoma beat New Mexico State Saturday, 73-3. As for KU's beating Montana State last weekend, 41-17, Mason said he was pleased. "I really didn't think we would score as quickly and easily as we did," he said. "I like the idea that we made some big plays. But I think we could have played a little more consistently." Mason said there was room for improvement. "Offensively, there were too many missed assignments and lost opportunities for field position," Mason said. "Defensively, we had too many missed assignments and tackles. If we can make improvements on both sides of the ball, we'll have an improved team." "They're a lot bigger, a lot more physical than Montana State," Mason said. "I don't think there is much of a comparison at all. I said last week we'd have to play good to beat Montana State. We'll have to play a beat of a lot better than good to beat Louisville." With the game against the University of Louisville, Ky., coming up this Saturday, Mason was brutally honest when comparing the Louisville team to Montana State. As for any strategy he may have planned, Mason was not definite. "So much depends on who you're playing, what they're doing, what their style of play is," Mason said. "But we are going to throw more—absolutely. We played it close to the vest last Saturday." Boykin provides consistency on constantly changing team By Gene King Kansan sportswriter On a defense where the depth chart seems to change every day, there remains one constant — KU sophomore strong safety Deral Boykin. Boykin, who was named the Big Eight defensive newcomer of the year in 1989, was selected the conference's defensive player of the week for his performance in Saturday's 41-17 victory against Montana State. "Those are nice to hear," Boykin said about the awards. "But I think of the team first. I would rather have a winning team than the awards." Mitch Browning, KU defensive back coach, said he had seen a tremendous amount of improvement in Boykin since last season. "He worked a lot on his strength and conditioning over the summer, and he is much more coachable." Browning said. "Last year, around the fifth or sixth game, he started to take coaching a little better." Boykin admitted that his attitude hindered his learning ability at times. "I still have to work on my attitude a little," Boykin said. "During practice, it gets in the way, but it helps me in the game. I love to hit. So I try to take my frustrations out on the playing field. Boykin made 87 tackles last season, second on the team, and had two pass interceptions. Boykin, a sophomore, started on the defensive squad last season, but he does not see himself as a leader. "During the course of the season, people are going to step up. If it happens to be me, then I will accept the role," he said. "Right now, since the whole defense is so young, it is more of a group thing. We are only as strong as our weakest link." However, Browning said that Boykin was a leader. "He leads by example more than by that rah-rah stuff." Browning said. "He is really soft-spoken, but he is the reality going to get after you." Against Montana State last weekend, Boykin returned an interception 78 yards for a touchdown. His scoring run was the third-holeest interception return in Javakhwk history. "I really didn't expect to make it to the end zone. I was just looking to run as far as I could." Boykin said. "It wasn't until I broke a few tackles that I looked for the end zone." Browning said, "He has improved so much since last year. He has gained 10 pounds, cut his 40-yard dash time and has gotten stronger. Deral Boykin can be as good as Deral Boykin wants to be." Browning said Boykin has the potential of being all-Big Eight or even all-American. "Sure, that is my ultimate goal," Boykin said. "But I want to do what I can to help the team win." Sands and Boykin were at the conference, but neither seemed overly excited by their awards. "It was exciting to get the award, but that was last week," Sands said. Both players were more concerned with the team's performance last week and how it will affect Saturday's game against Louisville. "Montana State was a big challenge for us," Boykin said. "It gave us the confidence we'll need. I think we're going to beat the teams we're supposed to beat and surprise a lot of others." "I saw him at home this summer and we talked about the game a little," Sands said. "(During the game) I'll go around him if possible, but if my back is to the wall, I'll go over him." Sands said he had a special reason to want to beat Louisville. A high school friend from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., strong safety Ricky McFadden, plays for the Cardinals. Graf, Sabatini to lock horns for semifinals of U.S. Open NEW YORK - Steffi Graf and Gabriela Sabatini, last year's finalists, took divergent routes into the U.S. Open semifinals yesterday. The Associated Press Graf, the top seed and defending champion, needed only 44 minutes to rout No. 8 Helena Sukova, 6-1, 6-1. It was the 11th straight victory over Sukova for Graf, winner of six of the last seven Grand Slam events. Third-seeded Sabatini and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario went more than 44 minutes in the first set alone. The baselinners played extended points throughout their 2-hour, 17-minute match won by Sabatini 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Graf and Sabatini, who are doubles partners and have reached the semifinals here, will meet in tomorrow's singles semi. No 2 Marina Navratilova and her conqueror in last year's Open, no 5 Zina Garrison, are in the Chris O'Connell final. Garrison is the Chris O'Connell Grand Slam career on Tuesday. For Graf, it was business as usual. Ominously, Graf said she is stronger now, but still approaching her peak. "At the beginning of last year, I had easier matches, also," the 1988 Grand Champ champion said. "This year, I had a few matches that weren't 100 percent, so I think should be ready to fill in." Think. I think that I'm better shape and better in form at the right time." "I'm happy about the way that I was playing. That's more important than any score or time." "I am a machine, you know," she said jokingly. "I tried to do my best. If this is the outcome against Helena Sukova, 6-1, 6-1, then I should do all right." The West German star has lost only 14 games in five matches, and she never allowed Sukova to get into their match. Sukova said she was looking for perfection, which was the wrong approach. Overall, Sabatini had 34 unforced errors and only 22 winners. AP TOP 25 FOOTBALL POLL "I think I started playing a little slow," said Sabatini, who lost to Sanchez in their last meeting, at the Canadian Open in August. "I was not moving my legs very much. I knew I had to keep in the match with a better forehand, and attack a little more." Overall, Sabatini had 34 unforced "I think it will be a good match, but I think Stefft will win," Sanchez said of the semifinals. "I've seen all her teammates. She is playing with confidence." "Of course I'm looking forward to playing Steffi," said Sabatini, who is 3-16 lifetime against Graf. "When I play Steffi, I have to try to be a little more aggressive. It's the only way I can beat her." Sabatini had to work hard against Sanchez, the 17-year-old French Open champion from Spain. Sabatini also broken four times in the first set. perfect shot, as I tried to do all of the time," she said. "It puts so much pressure on your serve to do that." 1. Notre Dame (31) 1-0-0 2. Michigan (18) 0-0-0 3. Miami, Fla. (4) 0-0-0 4. Nebraska (6) 0-0-0 5. Auburn 0-1-0 6. UCLA 0-0-0 7. Arkansas 0-0-0 8. Oklahoma 1-0-0 9. Colorado 1-0-0 10. Clemson 1-0-0 11. Illinois 1-0-0 12. Penn St. 0-0-0 13. Southern Cat. 0-1-0 14. Syracuse 0-0-0 15. Texas A&M 1-0-0 16. Florida St. 0-1-0 17. West Virginia 1-0-0 18. S. Mississippi 1-0-0 19. Alabama 0-0-0 20. Arizona 1-0-0 21. LSU 0-1-0 22. Houston 1-0-0 23. Pittsburgh 1-0-0 24. Brigham Young 1-0-0 25. N. Carolina St. 1-0-0 "I really didn't have to play the First-place votes in parenthesis A.L. cellar dweller trips Royals for series sweep The Royals, whose 47-20 home The Associated Press The Royals, who were 6-0 against Detroit in Kansas City this season, started the night $3\frac{1}{2}$ games behind the Royals in the American League West. "It's frustrating." Royals Manager John Wathan said. "There's no reason for it, yet it continues. I guess we'll just have to come back and try to win here next year." The Royals lost their 13th consecutive game in Tiger Stadium as Detroit, combining homers by Mike Brumley and Lou Whitaker with three Royals errors, ran its winning touch to six with an 11-9 trump last night. record is the best in baseball, play 14 of the next 17 games in Kansas City. DETROIT — Tiger Stadium, one of the great hitter's parks in baseball, looks like a graveyard to the Kansas City Royals. The 13 straight losses, dating back to 1987, represent the longest losing streak in a road park in Royals' season. The 16th and final streak in Detroit's longest since 1987. Edwin Nunez, 3-3, the second of three Detroit pitchers, threw one pitch, resulting in an inning-ending double-play, and got the victory. Brian DeBois pitched the last five innings for his first save. George Brett's two-run homer tied it at 4 in the top of the third but Mike Heath started the bottom of the inning with a single and went to third on Whitaker's double. Gary Ward doubled Heath and Whitaker across for a 6-4 Tiger lead. Brumley hit a two-run homer in the second and Whitaker gave the Tigers insurance with a three-run blast in the seventh. Jim Eiseureich singled, stole second and scored on Frank White's RBI single to narrow it to 6-8 in the Royals fourth. But the Tigers picked up two unearned runs in the sixth. Royals starter Charlie Leibrandt, 5-11, gave up six runs on six hits over two-plus innings for the loss. Tigers 11, Royals 5 Royals ab r h rhi Selzer 3b 4 1 2 0 Stillwell ss 4 0 2 0 Brett 1b 5 2 2 0 Jackson lf 2 1 1 2 Elischre cf 4 1 1 0 Tartaub duh 4 0 0 0 Tabler rf 3 0 1 0 White ub 4 0 1 1 Boone c 4 0 0 0 Totals 34 5 10 5 Tigers ab r h rhl Pottis cf 3 2 1 0 Heath c 5 2 2 0 Whitaker 2b 4 2 2 3 Ward ib 2 0 1 2 Bergman ib 1 0 0 0 Lemon rf 5 1 1 0 Schu dh 3 1 2 1 Lynn dh 2 0 1 1 Williams lf 0 1 0 0 Lusader lf 3 0 1 0 Brumley ss 5 1 2 2 Strange 3b 4 1 1 0 Totals 37 11 14 9 Detroit: Tennana, Numer (W - 3-1), Dulois (S1), Kane City: Kleihang (L - 5-11), Hull (S2), York: St. Louis (L - 4-1), Jackson: Billwell, White, DF - Kansas City 1, Detroit 2, LOB - Kansas City 7, Detroit 9, Milwaukee 1, Detroit 8, Las Vegas 1, Laverack 1, Jackson - Hickson (3), Brumley (1), Brett (11), Wilkerson (27), SB - Essexwood (11), Wakefield (10), Bremen (11), McWilliams-Wilson - Lehrendek, BR - Leach, A - 12,900 T, T - 2,99 Kansas City 202 100 000 — 5 Detroit 042 002 30X — 11 Volleyball team hopes experience gets results By Dan Perkins Kansan sportswriter With one tournament under its belt, the Kansas volleyball team is looking for more than a third-place finish this weekend. Kansas, 1-2, will play host to the Kansas University Invitational this weekend at Allen Field House. Wichita State, Stephen F. Austin and Illinois-Chicago also will compete. Kansas opens the tournament at 7 p.m. tomorrow against Wichita State. Albizt said she didn't know much about either Stephen F. Austin or Illinois-Chicago this year, but she said they have been tough in the past. "Wichita State will be a tough match for us. They beat us last year, so they'll have the momentum." "It's going to be an interesting tournament," Coach Frankie Albizt said. "Wichita State had a pretty good team last year, and I'm sure they'll be good again this year." "Chicago is a real good area for volleyball players." Albiz said, "and Stephen F. Austin is usually pretty powerful. They're definitely an offense-team team." Shelly Jorgensen, senior outside hitter, said that the victory last weekend over Drake helped to build the confidence of the team. "I'm more confident having played in a tournament and I think the team will play better this weekend." Jorgensen said. "Just having played in Allen already, since we don't get to practice there, will make us more comfortable." Jorgensen, who had a career best 15 kills and three aces against Drake, also credited the freshmen with the team's early success. "The freshmen have come in with a lot of high school experience and a great attitude, and they had a good first tournament," Jorgensen said. After its opening match tomorrow night against Wichita State, Kansas is scheduled to play at 10 a.m. Saturday against Stephen F. Austin and again at 2 p.m. against Illinois-Chicago.