Volume 128 Issue 10
COMMENTARY Volleyball continues to dominate at tournaments
Edited by Rob Pyatt
Even if the team doesn't push the tournament title streak to six, the Jayhawks will gain much-needed experience that will benefit them in conference play and beyond. Look to last season for an example.
"Playing Penn State is really big obviously" sophiomore middle blocker Tayler Soucie said. "That's the best school you're gonna play."
"The goal is, once again, to get into the postseason and so that (the non-conference schedule) reads you for that," Bechard said. "But beyond that, it does help you get ready for the Big 12 conference."
These pre-conference tournaments have been a major factor in Kansas's postseason success over the last two seasons, including the program's first-ever appearance in the Sweet 16 in 2013.
But the Jayhawks aren't just competing in them. They're winning them.
Pre-conference tournaments are important in more ways than one to Kansas volleyball. They act as a springboard into the conference season and give the Jayhawks experience playing teams and styles they may encounter in the NCAA Tournament.
For the second straight year, coach Ray Bechard scheduled a difficult non-conference schedule. This year's schedule includes four tournaments featuring matchups with five teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season, as well as teams that are likely to make it this season.
Dating back to last year, Kansas has won or tied for first place in five straight invitational tournaments. It's also doing so against quality opponents.
But what better measuring stick than against the defending champs and current No. 3-ranked team in the country? This will especially prepare the young squad — the team only has three upperclassmen — for conference foe and No. 2-ranked Texas, who has won the Big 12 the last three years.
Last season, Kansas won the InniTowner and Kansas Invitationals, and tied for first at the Arizona Invitational. You can bet these results gave the Jayhawks plenty of confidence for their Big 12 run.
Those results have carried over to this year, where Kansas has won its first two tournaments outright. The Jayhawks won the Kansas Invitational on Aug. 30, clinching the title by defeating then-No. 23 Creighton in the final match. On Sept. 6, Kansas swept its matches at the Pioneer Classic, beating undefeated Denver on its home court in the title match.
The streak will be in jeopardy this weekend, as a matchup awaits with the defending national champions in Penn State In The Villanova Tournament on Sept. 12.
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For the third year, the Jayhawks team will take University of Missou City. The Kangaroo travel to Lawrence a match against the who are currently match winning streep
Kansas (5-1) will third win against three years. In its lash against UMKC, K home a 3-1 win las in 2012, it took only for the Jayhawks the win. Of the 32 Jayhawks have tak Karangaoos, they been defeated once 22-0 at home, which they will be on Tues Over the week Jayhawks continue winning streak in D three wins as they the Denver Invite team gave up only their victories again Sam Houston Denver University,
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The soccer team tallied up quite impressive res this week. With two to Colorado this past week the team bumped its to the best it's been since 2004 — 6-0. On top of Kansas is ranked first Big 12 standings, lead Texas Tech (2) and B (3), who were predict be in the top four by of the season. Despite excellent accomplishment Kansas soccer fans shi not get too used to see Jayhawks within the start of the conference start by the end of the season Yes, the Jayhawks hin immensely successful this season. I think tha
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN night at 6:30 p.m. in Lawrence.
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN 9. Havili has had 13 kills this season.
The match against UMKC will start at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the Horesei Family Athletics Center. The game will also be broadcasted online via ESPN3.
Edited by Sarah Kramer
BATE ig 12 this year?
+12 goal differential, which marks the best the program has seen to start a season. The offense is powered by junior midfielder Liana Salazar, who leads all Big 12 players with six goals and 13 points. Last week, Salazar earned herself Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career.
Although Salazar is the catalyst to the offense, the team hasn't seen a bunch of well-rounded girls like this team has in a while. Instead of one or two players scoring, everyone is getting minutes and contributing. Kansas has scored 16 goals coming from six different players.
Senior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Stroud is as good as it gets between the pipes for Kansas. She earned her second shutoff of the season on Sunday against the University of Denver, and her 23 career victories has tied her for third all-time among Jayhawk goalkeepers. Having that type of leadership in the net has proven successful so far.
With this recipe the Jayhawks have, expect them to be able to finish in the top of the Big 12.
Edited by Rob Pyatt
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