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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
No.18 Kansas set to start conference play
LIZ KUHLMANN
@LizKuhlmannUDK
Not only do the Jayhawks have better experience on the pitch, but with their first loss under their belts to Marquette, Francis said losing was something no one was eager to experience again.
No. 18 Kansas women's soccer will play its first conference games this weekend in Texas against Baylor (6-3-1) and TCU (7-3-0). The jayhawks concluded their nonconference schedule 9-1-0, and prior to last weekend were on the longest winning streak in program history. While starting on the road is tough, coach Mark Francis said the team will be prepared.
"I was very pleased with how the team responded last Sunday (in a 4-0 win over St. Mary's)" Francis said. "I think it was important how we played in the second half. We got a lot of people into the game and gave them playing experience going into conference play, so that's good."
"It was a tough game," Francis said. "We pretty much dominated the second half,
Kansas will travel to Waco, Texas, for Friday's game, knowing the Bears are looking to avenge a 2-0 loss to the Jayhawks last season. Currently, the Bears are averaging two goals a game and attempted 15 shots in their last game against North Texas. Senior forward Ali Kimura said the team is well aware of Baylor's physicality during games, and the Jayhawks are keeping that in mind as they prepare.
"We really need to finish our chances, play our game and not get sucked into the way they play," Kimura said.
Despite this loss, the layhawks made an appearance at No.29 in the first RPI rankings of the season, their highest starting rank since 2010. The Big 12 made a strong showing in the ranks with five teams making the top 50; Kansas came in third behind Texas Tech (9) and West Virginia (17).
but we just couldn't capitalize on our chances. It was unfortunate, but in some ways losing kind of wakes you up a little bit. It makes you realize that winning is a lot more fun."
The Jayhawks will remain in Texas over the weekend to take on TCU Sunday afternoon, a team that is currently on a six-game win streak and will be carrying confidence with them onto the field.
"We're really excited." Kimura said. "I'm personally really excited for the competition. It's definitely a different level when you get to Big 12 play, We're looking forward to it."
in order to succeed this weekend and add two wins to the Jayhawks' record, Francis said Kansas has to keep doing what it's been doing for the last 10 games. While there are a few things to improve on this week in practice, the Jayhawks have to maintain the same level of intensity and play entering conference competition.
"I'm looking forward to the start of conference," Francis said. "Nonconference is fun, you know, but with conference it's a little bit different. There is a little more at stake. That pressure is good."
Edited by Logan Schlossberg
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Junior midfielder Liana Salazar avoids two Cal State Northridge players during the Sept. 12 game.
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Freshman outside hitter Madison Rigdon (left) celebrates during Kansas' game against North Texas on Sept. 18.
Volleyball team begins Big 12 play against Oklahoma
The No. 23 Kansas volleyball team (12-2) kicks off its Big 12 Conference schedule when it travels to Norman to take on Oklahoma (9-4) this Saturday. The Jayhawks are coming off a strong showing at last weekend's Jayhawk Classic, sweeping their three games at the Horejsi Family Athletic Center with relative ease.
KYLE PAPPAS
@KylePap
The big question heading into the season was exactly how Kansas' seven newcomers would mesh with a squad coming off its best season in program history, and the early answer seems to be "very well."
Freshman outside hitter Madison Rigdon has likely been the most significant of the bunch thus far. Her performance last weekend (4.18 kills per set on a .301 kill percentage) was enough to earn her Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors, becoming the first freshman to do so since 2012.
"We've been very pleased with Madison and how she has developed through the nonconference part of our schedule," coach Ray Bechard said.
"I don't want to say that she is a surprise because we knew the type of talent she would bring to the table, but with her position being deep with upperclassmen, her emergence has been really good to see."
we've been very pleased with Madison and how she has developed through the nonconference part of our schedule."
RAY BECHARD Coach
Freshman setter Ainise Havili and freshman middle blocker Kayla Cheadle have also made their presence evident early in the season. Havili has proven to be a key component of the offense, routinely setting up the jayhawks' outside hitters with good opportunities at the net. Her 558 assists (11.16 per set) are third-best in the Big 12. Cheadle has been impressively consistent thus far; her .373 kill percentage and 43 blocks (.9 per set) lead all Kansas players. Rigdon and Havili were the two big names among
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Bechard's seven newcomers, but Cheadle is quietly carving out a niche on this Jayhawk squad.
The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Oklahoma's McCasland Field House, with the game being televised on Fox College Sports Central.
As for the Sooners, they start ed the season off hot, winning nine of their first 11 matches, but they've dropped their last two heading into their match up with the Jayhawks. Oklahoma was crushed by Duke the last time out, dropping the match in straight sets: 18-25, 15-25, 20-25.
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The Sooners are led by junior outside hitter Kierra Holst and sophomore outside hitter Kimmy Gardner. Holst started every match for the Sooners in 2013, and leads the team with 148 kills on a .244 kill percentage this year. She was the lone bright spot for Oklahoma against Duke, registering five digs and a team-high 13 kills, Gardner, a transfer from Mississippi State, is second among all starters in both kills (141) and kill percentage .305) in her first season in Norman.
Edited by Alyssa Scott
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