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KANSAN.COM/SPORTS | MONDAY, OCT. 26, 2015
Blog: Texas loss shouldn't define volleyball's season
JOSH MCQUADE
@LOneW0lfMcQuade
Friday's game against the Texas Longhorns marked the first time this year the Jayhawks faced a top-15 team. It marked the first real test of the year for the 19-0 Jayhawks, and afterward, it was the first time the following phrase had been true this season.
Kansas volleyball lost (16-25, 19-25, 14-25).
The dream of an undefeated season was over; it was crushed by the might of Big 12 powerhouse Texas. Kansas lost the first set of the match for the second time this year, two sets in a match for the first time this year, and the entire match for the first time as well.
However, the Jayhawks should not let one loss destroy their team. They can — and most likely will — come back stronger than before.
"I think tonight can be a learning experience if we allow it to be," coach Ray Bechard said in a postgame interview.
The layhawks were not themselves during the game; the team committed an abnormal number of mistakes. They posted a hitting percentage of 1.55 throughout the match — the worst mark they've set this year. They only posted 33 kills, compared with their average before the match of 49.
"They forced us into things we didn't want to do and that's what good teams do," Bechard said, "but then you gotta have a response to that."
The response Bechard was referencing looked to have come during the second set, but Texas went on to win following a massive run. After the run, the light that was once bright in the eyes of the Jayhawks died, as the Longhorns dominated the match.
But there is room to learn.
Every championship-caliber team faces a test at some point that prepares it for the road ahead. And for the Jayhawks, squashing routine opponents padded their record, but it
wasn't providing them with the challenge they needed to get better.
And that's why the Texas match mattered so much.
Before the match, it was evident the players were looking forward to the game more than they would a typical match.
"I used to go to Texas games all the time when I was a little kid, and I've always dreamed of one day playing in that gym," said sophomore middle blocker Kelsie Payne.
"I think we're all really excited and motivated to go play," said sophomore outside hitter Madison Rigdon. "Especially since we haven't won down there [since 2003]."
Because of the lacking performance and defeat, Bechard said an opportunity for growth presented itself that hadn't really been around before, adding the team has to do more than just move on and forget about the last game.
"Let's see if our team responds to some things that were exposed tonight," he said. "If this motivates the team to create more opportunities in practice and to improve...Then it would be a learning opportunity. But simply to come in and experience this and not change some of the ways we're going about our business wouldn't be productive."
As the Jayhawks recover, regroup and prepare for their next game, they'll have an opportunity to learn from the technical aspects that went wrong in the game, as well as their performance as a whole. As Bechard said, to beat good teams, the Jayhawks can't afford to coast. Sometimes an OK performance is good enough, but that is far from always the case.
"We have to play good against good teams for two hours." Bechard said. "You can't play good for half a set or three-fourths of a set [and expect to win!]"
The Jayhawks will have their chance to respond this Wednesday against Iowa State.
CAROLINE FISS/KANSAN
Nina Khmelnitckaia (left) and Anastasiya Rychagova (right) at the Jayhawk Tennis Cent
From Moscow to Lawrence How two tennis players made a 5,000-mile journey to KU
SHELBY DUFOUR
@shelbsdu456
Anastasiya Rychagova faced a difficult decision: Should she stay in her hometown of Moscow, Russia, or take a risk and go to the United States with the opportunity to further her education and her tennis career?
"If you go, I'll go." Rychagova said, making the decision for the two.
Rychagova said she didn't know anyone living in the United States, which made her decision that much harder. So, with mixed emotions, she turned to her longtime friend and fellow tennis athlete, Nina Khmelnitckaia, for advice. Together, they formed a plan.
The idea to journey halfway around the world for an education and to be a student athlete sprouted from Khmelnitckaia. When Khmelnitckaia graduated high school she was interested in a program Russia offers where student athletes are given the opportunity to continue playing in the United States. Khmelnitckaia became involved in the program along with about 40 other tennis athletes from Russia who were trying to transfer to the United States.
"In Russia, we have some company who helps children go to the States," said Khmel-nitckaia. "There's different sports, but they're really good at tennis — everyone knows them. We asked them to help us."
Coaches from many schools, including Kansas head coach Todd Chapman, scouted the players. Chapman approached Khmelnitckaia and discussed the possibility of her becoming a jayhawk. After the two talked about Khmelnitckaia coming to Kansas, she then mentioned Rychagova's skills and how she, too, would greatly benefit
Kansas.
At the time, Rychagova was considering attending a university in the United States but was having trouble finding out how to do so. Khmelitckaia came to her and discussed the University of Kansas as a possibility. That's when Khmelnitckaia assured Rychagova that the Kansas was a good university, and Rychagova got on board.
In the summer, the duo came to Kansas only knowing each other. They began tennis practice and started to feel more
SEE TENNIS PAGE 9
Kansas football loses to Oklahoma State 58-10 after car accident kills four at homecoming parade in Stillwater
CHRISTIAN HARDY
@ByHardy
Oklahoma State tackle Vincent Taylor bears down on Kansas quarterback Ryan Willis on Oct. 24 in Stillwater, Okla.
It was supposed to be just another Saturday — a day for college football, tailgating and, for Oklahoma State, homecoming. That light-hearted Saturday mood instantly shifted after four people were killed and several more were injured after a car accident in the parade line.
About four hours after the incident, a football game would kick off at Boone Pickens Stadium. Canceling the game completely was an option for Oklahoma State and Kansas, but both sides decided to play. Oklahoma State won the game, 58-10, dropping Kansas to 0-7 on the year.
"As upset as I am right now, it pales in comparison to what these families are going through," Kansas head coach David Beaty said. "[Oklahoma State] University — I'll tell you what — they're made up of some resilient folks, because they have been through some tragedy; I'm amazed at their resilience."
KURT STEISS/OCOLLY
On a chilly, gray day, the game's importance faded in the aftermath of the tragedy, which was prevalent throughout.
Oklahoma State flew its flag at half-staff for the National Anthem, which was followed by an extended round of applause from the 59,486 fans in attendance. Oklahoma State players twice held prayers before the game - once in a circle, holding hands before the stands had opened to the public and, once again, kneeled in a kuddle, just moments before kick-off.
The team also held a moment of silence out of respect for what happened earlier that day. Kansas held a team prayer for everyone involved in the incident and Oklahoma State at some point in game preparation.
The game itself went about as the 33-point betting spread predicted. Oklahoma State jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter as Kansas put together only 26 yards of total offense. In the second quarter, a bad snap on a punt and subsequent Oklahoma State special teams touchdown put a damper on Kansas' attempts at any sort of comeback. By halftime, Kansas trailed Oklahoma State 35-10.
Kansas tried to catch Oklahoma State off-guard with a chipped onside kick to start the second half, but failed to recover. That set up Oklahoma State at Kansas' 35-yard line after a
"It just puts into perspective the importance of football," sophomore linebacker Joe Dineen said. "You're so grateful to play this game everyday, but it is a game, and there are other things — like life — that are more important."
penalty.
"I don't feel like we executed very well today," junior linebacker Marcquis Roberts said. "We were down 25 points at half, and we tried to go for a little trick play, and we didn't get it. It brought us down a little, but we have to learn from those situations and fight through that stuff and stop it."
"They out-coached us, and they out-played us today. Simply put. In all areas." Beaty said. "They punched in the mouth from the very word go."
The Cowboys scored on the ensuing possession to go up 42-10. That lead was 56-10 by the end of the quarter.
In the end though, as Beaty and Dineen said, it was just
football. Oklahoma State stayed undefeated, but this win — this Saturday — differed tremendously from the previous six. This Saturday, the team awaited the status of over a dozen people who were flown to local emergency rooms — eight of which remain in critical condition.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to those families who were
affected early this morning." Beaty said. "That was an unbelievable tragedy that took place. Certainly our Jayhawk Nation's spirit is with all those families that were affected and the Oklahoma State family."
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