Home-run race THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Sports Friday September 25,1998 Section: B Page 1 Kansas Soccer Back-up goalkeeper Katie Garrity will make her first collegiate start this weekend for the Jayhawks. SEE PAGE 3B Pro Basketball The NBA lockout has resulted in the cancellation of 24 exhibition games and postponed the start of training camp indefinitely. WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS SEE PAGE 4B Contact the Kansan Sports Desk: Sports Fax: Sports e-mail: (785) 864-4810 (785) 864-0391 matt@ukansu.com Volleyball team renews rivalry with K-State by Laura Bokenkroger Kansan sportswriter Every year, it's the same. The adrenaline rush, anticipation and weeks of preparation all seem to funnel into one match — Kansas versus Kansas State. At 7 p.m. tomorrow, the Kansas volleyball team will try to defeat Kansas State in Manhattan for the first time since Nov. 17. 1993. The Wildcats were picked to finish fifth in the Big 12 Conference. Kansas State already has played three Top 25 teams, losing to No. 11 Florida and No. 16 Arkansas before defeating No. 22 Illinois last Saturday. Last year, the Wildcats swept the Jayhawks 20. The first match was in Lawrence, and K-State won three games to none. Although the second match in Manhattan took five games, Kansas State won three games to two. The in-state rivalry incites excitement, but right-side hitter Nancy Bell said that the Jayhawks were looking at the game as just another stealing stone. stepping stone. "There is a lot of anticipation and preparation, but we're just focusing on our defense," Bell said. Outside hitter Leslie Purkepyile is from Wamego, a small town about 14 miles from Manhattan. Purkeypile said that a win against Kansas State could attract some attention. "We're definitely excited," said Purkeypile. "There will probably be a lot of people I know watching because it's so close to my hometown." After a decisive win Wednesday night against Oklahoma, the Jayhawks discovered their potential to scramble and adjust under pressure. Coach Ray Bechard said the outside hitters did a great job stepping up after Oklahoma's defense focused on Kansas' middle blockers — who had been leading the Javahawks aggressively all season. Purkeypile provided a boost off the bench after Moira Donovan surrendered to the pain of a sore foot. "She has a lot of experience, and she contributed some timely kills." Bechard said. Donovan, who has experienced pain since the beginning of the week, visited the trainer twice yesterday and was waiting to hear the diagnosis. "It might be tendinitis or a stress fracture but we don't know," Donovan said. "Hopefully, I can play Saturday." Kansas running back Mitch Bowles carries the ball in the game against Missouri. On Saturday, Kansas will play the University of Alabama-Birmingham. The Jayhawks beat Alabama-Birmingham 24-0 last year. Photo by Dan Elvasky/KANSAN Bechard said that the key factor against the Sooners was defense. The Jayhawks blocked 12 Oklahoma attacks and dug 57 balls. "Our defense was there," Purkeypile said. "By 'there' I mean that we were in position every time. We were reading their offense better, and we were a couple of different defenses that seemed to work for us." Beachard said defense had to be a constant theme, especially against Big 12 Conference teams. "K-State provides a better secondary line of defense than Oklahoma so they are a bigger challenge once the ball clears the net," Bechard said. "They're coming off a great win over Illinois, and they are an experienced team. But the win over Oklahoma was a good way to start for us." On the road again The Jayhawks are 10-2 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12 this season. Kansas football strives for victory in Alabama 'Hawks haven't won road game since 1996 By Jodi M. Smith Kansan sportswriter Kansas football coach Terry Allen's goal for the 1998 season was to create a new team from the old one. With virtually the entire offensive line and half of the defensive line returning, he wanted a team that could produce more than last year's team. And, so far, he has been successful. The offense is averaging more yards and more points than last season. The defense is keeping pace with last year's defense, which was ranked in the top 10 nationally. But this team still has been unable to hurdle one of last year's major obstacles—road games. During 1997, Kansas lost all five of its road games. In fact, the Kansas football team hasn't won a road game since Nov. 2, 1996, nearly two years ago. "It's something we need to overcome," Allen said. "I believe that winning on the road deals with confidence. We lacked a lot of confidence in ourselves a year ago, and we had more confidence when we played at home." The lack of confidence is something the team is battling but has not overcome. The Jayhawks only road outing this year resulted in a 41-23 loss to rival Missouri. "We didn't get the things done that we wanted to get done last year," said David Winbush, sophomore running back. "Hopefully, we can change that this year." This weekend the Kansas football team travels to Birmingham, Ala., for a match-up against the Alabama-Birmingham Blazers. The Jayhawks have won the last two contests against the Blazers — 72-0 in 1994 and 24-0 in 1997. Both games were played in Lawrence. Alabama-Birmingham faced Nebraska in Lincoln in its first outing of the season and stayed with the Cornhuskers for a good part of the game before it lost 38-7. "UAB is, I believe, a much improved football team," Allen said. "I was impressed by the fact that they went into Lincoln and played This time, though, the Jayhawks are on the Blazer turf. as well as they did." The Jayhawks are taking the Blazers seriously. "They're definitely not a team to be overlooked," quarterback Zac Wegner said. "Our team knows that they're a better football team than they were last year." Allen said a victory this weekend would be significant. "I think we're developing more confidence in ourselves," Allen said. "I think it would be, obviously, very important for us to go the win on the road and a burg hurdle for us." The players are focusing on winning the game. "I don't try to look at things as being on the road or being at home," Winbush said. "It's just an important football game that we've got to go out and execute and do the right things to come home with a victory." After two disappointing losses early in the season, a victory this weekend would bring the Jayhawks record to an even 2-2 as they enter another conference contest next weekend. "I do think this is an opportunity for us to go out there and get that win," Wegner said. "We could be back to 500 when we come back to play Texas A&M." 1. Kansas vs. UAB 2. NE Louisiana vs. Kansas St. 3. Washington vs. Nebraska 4. Texas Tech vs. Iowa St. 5. Rice vs. Texas 6. N Texas vs. Texas A&M 7. SW Louisiana vs. Oklahoma St. 8. USC vs. Florida St. 9. Kentucky vs. Florida 10. Purdue vs. Notre Dame 11. Northwestern vs. Wisconsin 12. Michigan St. vs. Michigan Last Week's Record Overall
Matt Friedrichs sports editorKevin Wilson associate sports editorJodi Smith football reporterSpencer Duncan columnistBrandon Kristzal sports staffRandy Witers sports staffTodd Kornblit studentAmanda Reves celebrity
M
Oklahoma St.		KansasKansasKansasKansasKansasKansasKansasKansas
NE LouisianaKansas St.Kansas St.NE LouisianaKansas St.Kansas St.Kansas St.Kansas St.
NebraskaNebraskaNebraskaNebraskaNebraskaNebraskaNebraskaNebraska
Texas TechIowa St.Texas TechTexas TechTexas TechTexas TechTexas TechTexas Tech
TexasTexasRiceTexasTexasTexasTexasTexas
Texas A&MTexas A&MTexas A&MTexas A&MTexas A&MTexas A&MTexas A&MTexas A&M
Oklahoma St.Oklahoma St.Oklahoma St.Oklahoma St.Oklahoma St.Oklahoma St.Oklahoma St.Oklahoma St.
USCFlorida St.Florida St.Florida St.Florida St.Florida St.Florida St.Florida St.
KentuckyFloridaFloridaFloridaFloridaFloridaFloridaFlorida
PurdueNotre DameNotre DameNotre DameNotre DameNotre DameNotre DameNotre Dame
Wisconsin MichiganWisconsin MichiganNorthwestern MichiganWisconsin MichiganWisconsin MichiganWisconsin MichiganWisconsin MichiganWisconsin Michigan
L's Record Overall8-48-410-27-510-27-510-211-1
20-1622-1426-1023-1325-1125-1125-1128-8
Jason Benavides / KANSAN Commentary In case you didn't notice, baseball is back. Beauties of baseball are back this season in form of individual team achievements After the strike, many fans (including myself) became disenchanted with the selfish, over-paid, modern-day baseball player and decided it wasn't worth watching anymore. One of the most remarkable seasons in sports history has captivated the world and thrust the sport of baseball back into the limelight. Students are skipping classes, grades are falling, heads are turning and most importantly fans are returning. That is until now. This season has been so spectacular, so unbelievable and so magical that it has washed away the sins from the past and raised the sport from the ashes. And it's not just McGwire and Sosa's annihilation of the most Kevin C. Wilson revered record in all of sports. The 1998 season has provided us with incredible individual achievements, stunning moments and a lifetime of highlights. Cal Ripken finally took a day off after 16 years, ending a remarkable streak of 2,632 straight games. Barry Bonds became the first player in history to hit 400 home runs and steal 400 bases in a career. A fire-throwing phenom by the name of Kerry Wood emerged out of nowhere and pitched a remarkable one-hit, 20-strike-out masterpiece. The improbable David Wells threw a perfect game. Roger Clemens has not lost since May 29 and is cruising toward an unprecedented fifth Cy Young award, while Pedro Martinez and David Cone have had seasons just as worthy. Alex Rodriguez became only the third player in history, joining Bonds and Jose Canseco, to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in the same season. Both Juan Gonzalez and Sosa are on pace to become the first players to drive in more than 160 runs since Jimmie Fox had 175 in 1938. Craig Biggio became the first man this decade to steal 50 bases and collect 50 doubles in a season. Ken Griffey, Jr., quietly has hit 55 home runs and has driven in more than 140 runs in another spectacular season. Albert Belle, Greg Vaughn, Manny Ramirez, Moises Alou, Nomar Garciaparra and countless other stars have helped make this year truly unforgettable. However, individual highlights have not completely overshadowed the stellar team play. The Yankees made a valiant run at the season record for most wins and have made a case for being one of the best teams ever with 110 wins and counting. The Braves, with their Hall-of-Fame pitching staff, and the Astros, led by Randy Johnson, who is 10-1 with the team, have each won more than 100 games. The Cubs, Mets and Giants are in a dog-fight for the right to join the surprisingly strong Padres in the playoffs. The mighty Indians, the resilient Rangers and the resurgent Red Sox will provide the Yankees with a treacherous road to the World Series. This season has proved that anything is possible in this great American pastime and that baseball truly is back. 1 Wilson is a Des Moines, Iowa, senior in journalism.