FRIDAY.NOV.16,2001
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3B
SPORTS
Volleyball team faces tough Texas squad
By Steve Laurenzo Kansan sports writer
Looking to have a winning season, the Kansas volleyball team enters its final home match, and second-to-last match of the season, with a record of 15-14, 5-13 in the Big 12 Conference.
The Jayhawks will face a Texas squad (14-11, 8-9) that deal them a 3-0 sweep earlier this fall in Austin, Texas.
Senior setter Molly LaMere said that beating the Longhorns would be tough but possible.
"It depends who shows up." LaMere said. "When we are on and play together, we have a chance to beat a lot of Big 12 teams."
LaMere, the only senior on the squad, will be recognized in a senior night ceremony before the match begins.
Coach Ray Bechard emphasized how important LaMere had been for the Jayhawks.
"She's a three-year starter," Bechard said. "We have an opportunity for her to lead us to a winning record three years in a row. I think that speaks very highly of her."
Texas leads the series with Kansas, 14-0. The Jayhawks are 7-6 at home this season.
The match begins at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Horeisi Family Athletic Center.
The Jayhawks' final match is against Colorado at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24 in Boulder, Colo.
Contact Laurenzo at 864-4858
Swimming team sets goal to finish in top three
Returning to the pool fresh and energized after a two-week layoff, the Kansas swimming and diving team looks to improve on last year's third place finish in the Minnesota Invitational.
The meet begins tonight and lasts through the weekend. The diving portion of the meet is expanded from the usual format and will include platform diving.
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Notre Dame, three Top 25 teams, stand in Kansas' way.
"Last year we finished third behind two Top 25 teams," said Kansas coach Cathy Burgess. "Throwing another one into the mix makes finishing in the top three a bigger challenge. But it is our goal to beat one of the Top 25 teams."
Last year Kansas finished with 643 points, behind second place Wisconsin (837.5), and event host Minnesota (944.5).
"It has pleased me that we aren't swimming our meets with one or two swimmers," Burgess said. "We have a lot of depth, and the ladies are swimming well."
If the Jayhawks are to improve on their finish of a year ago. Burgess said they would have to rely on a full-team effort.
The total team effort Burgess is looking for will have to include a strong performance from her freshmen. Freshmen Amy Gruber, Jackie Krueger, Aly Colver and Miranda Isaac have already set team best times this season.
Jeremy Giles
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