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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2013
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Volleyball players discuss life beyond the court
The athletes cover Ke$ha, fourth grade memories and career aspirations
BRIAN HILLIX
bhillix@kansan.com
Name? Jaime Mathieu
Major? Exercise Science
Ideal profession? Physical Therabi-
Best pre-game music? Ke$ha
Most memorable match? Freshman year against Missouri in her first game as libero (Mathieu had a team-high 23 digs in the contest to go along with four assists)
Goal for the season? Go further in the NCAA Tournament (Kansas lost in the Round of 32 last season to Wichita State)
Favorite arena to play in (other than home)? Oklahoma
Who introduced you to volleyball? decided to play on a random 4th grade rec team (she said4 they were terrible)
Why did you choose Kansas? Team was very welcoming when I visited
Favorite place you've traveled for a match? Italy (offseason exhibition)
When did you start playing volleyball? 4th grade
Favorite sport other than volleyball? Softball (played shortstop)
Favorite athlete? Brett Hull (hockey player)
Funniest teammate? Catherine Carmichael
JAIME MATHIEU
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
Grade: Senior
Name? Sara McClinton
Major? Human Biology
Ideal profession? Physician Assistant
Most memorable match? Sophomore year against Tulsa (set a career-high with 22 kills)
best pre-game music? "Don't Drop That Thun Thun" (it's been playing in the locker room)
Goal for the season? Get to the Sweet 16 (would be program's first appearance)
Favorite arena to play in (other than home)? Creighton (Omaha is her hometown)
Who introduced you to volleyball? Mom
Why did you choose Kansas? The players had a lot of potential, great facilities and coaches
Favorite place you've travelled for a match? Omaha
When did you start playing volleyball?
4th grade
Favorite sport other than volleyball? Track and field (competed in high jump, triple jump, 100M and 300M hurdles)
Favorite athlete? Destinee Hooker (former Texas volleyball player and currently on USA National Team)
Funniest teammate? Chelsea Albers
SARA MCCLINTON
Hometown: Omaha, Neb.
Grade: Junior
Kansas gains experience at Midland Invitational
BEN FELDERSTEIN
bfelderstein@kansan.com
"It was three tough days of competition, and we needed to find out where we were from a confidence standpoint and do a better job of closing things out in the end;" Chapman said.
Over the weekend, the Kansas women's tennis team was in Midland, Texas, competing in the Midland Invitational. Head Coach Todd Chapman said the Jayhawks did not have the success they had hoped for as they struggled in the first two days of the tournament and were unable to advance, but they are still thinking positive.
Chapman also said he was pleased with the team's overall performances, even though no one "stood out" more than the rest.
Chapman said effort and passion for the game are some of their strongest points, and added that this is definitely a formula for mid-season success. The team is ready to return to practice, and will now begin preparing for the ITA All-American Invitational.
Tournament Break Down:
"Everyone had their ups and downs,but what really stood out to me was [our] willingness to compete," Chapman said. "We never quit and we made adjustments all weekend."
FRIDAY:
In the first round of doubles play, all Kansas tennis teams were defeated. Senior Claire Dreyer and sophomore Anastasija Trubica lost a nail-biter 8-7 to the women from Abilene Christian. Dreyer and sophomore Maria Jose Cardona were the only two players to advance out of the first round of singles play. Dreyer beat Giada D'Ortona from UT-Arlington in straight sets 6-2, 6-1. Cardona defeated Claire Williams of Texas Tech 7-5, 6-1. Trubica and junior Maria Belen Ludueña lost two very tight singles matches in tiebreaks. Later that day, Dryer and Cardona were both defeated. Chapman made it clear that the team was experiencing "some first tournament jitters."
SATURDAY:
matches. These are very important because, while they did not have any effect on the tournament, they helped the Kansas tennis team earn a favorable seeding in the upcoming ITA Invitational. Dryer and Cardona were able to get huge victories against Texas Tech rivals Beatriz Santos and Sarah Toti, respectively.
inere were a lot more positive things to take from day two of this year's Midland Invitational. Luduena was able to advance to the quarterfinals of the consolation bracket until she fell to Penn State's Samantha Tutelman. It was close, but Luduena lost 1-6, 7-6, 13-11. Dreyer, Cardona and Trubica were all able to win their additional
SUNDAY:
On the final day of the tournament, the Jayhawks participated in more additional matches for ITA Invitational seeding. Ludueña won her match against TCU's Seda Arentekin while senior Paulina Los was able to pick up a victory against Texas Tech's Sarah Toti.
Overall, the team fared pretty well against in-conference play this weekend. Chapman said the team improved a lot over the weekend, and he hopes that can carry over into the rest of the season.
"If we continue to give the same effort we have the first three weeks, we can definitely surprise some people this year," Chapman said.
Edited by Duncan McHenry
Senior Claire Dreyer returns a serve in a match last year. Dreyer and her teammate, sophomore Maria Jose Cardona, were the only two players to advance to the first round of doubles play on Friday at the Midland Invitational in Texas. FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
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