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KANSAN.COM
SPORTS
File photo/KANSAN
Fite photo/KANSAN Ray Bechard, head coach, coach to the crowd as the team walks off the court after their win against Missouri.
▶ TIFFANY LITTLER
@lin33
Coming off their first semifinal appearance in program history, Kansas volleyball has spent the summer getting its newest players accustomed to the program. There will be five freshmen this upcoming season, including newcomers Allie Nelson, Jada Burse and Zoe Hill, and redshirts Ashley Smith and Patricia Montero.
Head Coach Ray Bechard said he believes they will play a prominent role in filling vacant spots. Kansas will face several teams
that played in the national tournament last season, including Creighton, Texas and Purdue.
Four members of the team have had the chance to compete nationally this summer. Setter Ainise Havili and outside hitter Madison Rigdon have trained with the U.S. Collegiate National Team and traveled to China this past month, winning the 2016 China-U.S. Super
"We feel like our schedule prior to the Big 12 will prepare us for what we think will a very competitive Big 12 schedule," Bechard said.
Hannah Edelman/KANSAN Soph. Anise Havili sets the ball for soph. Kelsie Payne. The Jayhawks were defeated by Nebraska in the semifinals of the 2016 NCAA tournament.
Volleyball uses summer to develop talent, prepare for 2016-17 season
Women's Volleyball Challenge in Beijing. Adding to her resume, Havili has also been nominated for the 2015-16 Big 12 Athlete of the Year.
"It's kind of overwhelming. I never really expected all this, but I'm grateful it happened to me and grateful for my teammates," Havili said.
Right-side hitter Kelsie Payne and libero Cassie Wait were among 19 other athletes that trained with the U.S. Women's National Team. Payne was named to the 12-member Pan American Cup roster and Wait got the opportunity
Even with Wait completing her undergraduate degree early, she will still have one year of eligibility during her first year of law school.
to train with the team until they departed for the Dominican Republic. Wait graduated this past May in just three years at the University and will begin graduate studies at the school of law this fall.
"I'm a big believer and a planner. I really like to write everything out and plan ahead of time...people are willing to help and I've had a lot of support," Wait said.
Everybody asks how you're going to take it to another level, when in fact, I think we've got to just continue to do the things we've been doing."
Ray Bechard Coach
The team went 30-3 last season, falling only against Texas and Nebraska, who both competed in the
national championship. Bechard believes improving is something his team needs to accomplish day-in-and-day-out, even with a majority of the 2015 Final Four team returning.
"Everybody asks how you're going to take it to another level, when in fact, I think we've got to just continue to do the things we've been doing," Bechard said.
The team will begin its 2016 campaign with the Crimson & Blue Scrimmage, August 20 at 1 p.m. at Horejsi Family Athletic Center.