Inside Sports THE. UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Sports K-State football player Frank Murphy is suspended by the NCAA for part of the season after accepting money for a car. See Page 4B Friday August 28,1998 Section: B Page 1 Nebraska kicks off the football season against Louisiana Tech Saturday. Big 12 Football SEE PAGE 4B NA5CAR Auto Racing After a strong start, race-car driver Rusty Wallace is struggling as the racing season continues. SEE PAGE 6B WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS Contact the Kansan Sports Desk: (785) 864-4810 Sports Fax: (785) 864-0391 Commentary A lesson in bashing hated Big 12 rivals Welcome to those of you who have never been a part of the Big 12 Conference, to those of you who are not familiar with the Big 12 and to those of you who support rival bashing. Allow me to give you the lowdown. Better take notes — there's a lot of information to get. The Jayhawks are a proud bunch. Our basketball program is second to none. Although we sometimes struggle during the tournament, I know that will change this year when the Jayhawks win the national championship. Coach Williams is a class act and every coach strives to be like him. Our football program, which was once a powerhouse in the leather-heltem days, still is struggling a bit. With second-year coach Terry Allen, however, we will be a top-10 program in a couple of years. Program in a couple of years. Despite our top-notch programs, we do have two big rivals: the hated in-state rival of the purple and silver in Manhattan, and the hated border rival of the black and yellow in Columbia. Kansas State likes to pretend it has a top-10 football program, but in reality its players are a bunch of convicts. For example, prize recruit Frank "BMW" Murphy just has been suspended for four games because he accepted money from a booster to purchase a car in Garden City. Tony Pacheco sports @ kansan.com My new name for the Wildcats' football team is the K-Fakers. K-Fake likes to beat up on Northwest-Southern-From the Middle-of-Nowhere teams to pad its record and boost its high rankings. Just so you know, K-State won a total of one game in the '80s. Well, it wasn't that bad, but the Wildcats' record was terrible. Let's move on to Misery — oops, I mean Missouri. Speaking of bad, their basketball program is horrible. The only time they sellout a game is when the Jayhawks are in town. Unfortunately for these pretenders, the Jayhawks return quarterback Zac Wegner, running back David Winbush, wide receivers Termaine Fulton and Michael Chandler and the rest of our All-American offense (at least, that's where I'm projecting them this season). Missouri is so sorry that Kansas outside linebacker Ron Warner made quarterback Corby Jones cry like a baby in the deciding moments of their match-up last fall. Misery, much like K-Fake, is hoping for consecutive bowl seasons. Misery and K-Fake will not beat us in any sport this year. K-Staters to hate: quarterback Chad May, point guard Anthony Bean, guard Askia Jones and power forward Manny Dies Chad May has been cut more than a victim of Jack the Ripper. Beane single-handedly beat the Jayhawks a few years back. Askia Jones could actually score points against the Jayhawks, which is reason enough to dislike him. As for Manny Dies, I better watch my little columnist behind after what happened when he disagreed with a K-State Collegian columnist. Tigers to hate: Kelly Thames, Jason Sutherland, Kelly Thames, Anthony Peeler, Kelly Thames, Derrick Grimm, Monty "Large Marge" Harge, the twin terrible Haley boys and did I mention Kelly Thames and Jason Sutherland? So, if you don't hear from me in a week, better look in the river. If you can't remember these people, let me refresh your memory. Guard Jason Sutherland is a football player playing basketball. Guard Anthony Peeler actually has skis. Forward Derrick Grimm thinks he's Daniel from the Karate Kid (he chopped forward Raef Lafrentz in the throat last year). Forward Kelly Thames cries. The Haley Twins, both centers, weighed a combined huck-fifty. playing basketball. Guard Anthony Peeler actually has skills. Center Monty "Large Marge" Hardge was thrown to the floor after Lester Earl put the ball back in his face. I think he's still picking leather out of his mouth. Well students, class is adjourned for now. Memorize these names and historic events,and you'll be ready for the rivalries this year. Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU! Pacheca is an Olathe, senior in English. Volleyball team digs in for season 'Hawks' Kiyabu set to help lead defense By Laura Bokenkroger Kansan sportswriter Last year, the Kansas volleyball team finished last in the Big 12 Conference in digs. It committed 406 service errors compared to only 290 by its opponents. If the amount of practice time spent on serving and digging is any indication, this year will be different. A dig is when a player passes a ball spiked by the opponent. "Who's going to finish last in digs this year?" asked Kansas volleyball coach Ray Bechard during a recent practice. "Not us," the Jayhawks shouted in unison. They say they mean it, and perhaps no one takes the challenge more seriously than Kansas defensive specialist Kristi Kiyabu. At 5-foot-4, Kiyabu is the shortest and smallest Jayhawk on the team. Playing alongside players that are 6 feet or taller, she isn't much of a threat at the net, but when she is on the back row, it's another story. As a defensive specialist, her job includes passing, digging and serving. Her focus is to initiate the offense — a key to winning games. Although she is only in the game for the three rotations in the back row (other players play six rotations). Kiyabu has established herself as an Kristi Kiyabu, junior defensive specialist, hits a ball during practice in Robinson. Kiyabu, originally from Honolulu, joined the team as a walk-on player her freshman year. Photo by Roger Nomer/KANSAN essential part of the team. She fills a spot that requires charisma and intensity, Bechard said. "The defensive specialists are expected to raise the energy level," Bechard said. "She digs some balls and helps us win some rallies. She's there to provide a spark." Kiyabu came to Kansas from Honolulu three years ago. Two of her uncles lived in Lawrence. One was a professor at Kansas, but retired two years before she arrived. Though both have since moved, she has found a niche at Kansas. Kiyabu's love of volleyball inspired her to walk on to the team as a freshman. She played in 61 games that year, including all 20 of the Jayhawks' conference matches. Kiyabu has earned a position on this team with her foot speed and agility. She said digging balls and picking up the tough shots is a big thrill, but the most exciting accomplishment is serving an ace. "That's my offense," Kiyabu said. In practice, Kiyabu gets more time to work on defense. While the hitters run through spiking drills, Kiyabu lines up on the other side of the court to dig. up on the other. Besides the technical things, Kiyabu said she wanted to improve on her communication during games. "I think the thing I have to work on most is helping the team work together," Kiyabu said. "I'm only in for three rotations, and I need to be a spark and help them communicate." Run/walk starts celebration of women's sports It's a challenge Kiyabu takes personally. Her energy and quickness will help the Jayhawks as they challenge themselves to construct a stronger and more reputable defense on the court. Kiyabu was dubbed "Diesel" after her Kansas teammates discovered this small-framed athlete was considered a muscular phenomenon by her Hawaiian teammates. By Sam Mellinger Kansan sportswriter The Kansas will kick off its yearlong celebration of women's athletics this weekend with "Run/Walk with the Jayhawks." This year marks the 30th year of women's intercollegiate sports at the University. With $2,000, then-Kansas professor Marlene Mawson financed women's field hockey, basketball, swimming, volleyball, gymnastics and tennis. "The 30th anniversary celebration provides us many opportunities to link the past with the present and future of KU women's athletics," said Amy Perko, associate athletics director. Julie Sigourney, Athletics Department administrative assistant, expects between 200 and 250 alumni, coaches, students and community members. Registration for the Run/Walk is free for Kansas students with an ID and begins at 8 a.m. tomorrow. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. T-shirts are $5 for students. Prizes such as autographed balls, T-shirts and gift certificates will be awarded. The course will begin and end at Memorial Stadium. Participants can choose between a 5-kilometer and 2-mile trek. Among those expected to participate are women's basketball coach Marian Washington, former Jayhawk basketball All-American Lynette Woodard. Bob Frederick, athletics director, and softball coach Tracy Bunge. Before becoming coach three years ago, Bunge played softball at Kansas from 1983-86, earning an All-America selection her senior year. Her ties to Kansas athletics as both a player and coach have her especially enthusiastic about this year's celebration. "I experienced the history we had in the middle '80s and was a part of that history," she said. "For me, it is very special that KU administratively has taken the time to make it a special year for women's athletics." Besides tomorrow's run/walk, former student-athletes and coaches are invited for a celebration weekend, Oct. 16-18. Several women's teams will be in action that weekend, and attending alumni will be treated to a brunch and family picnic. "Let's face it," Bunge said. "KU is a (men)'s basketball school, so it's nice for the women to get this. They'll start to think 'gosh, we really are important.'"
MATT FREIDRICHSKEVIN WILSONJODI SMITHSPENCER DUNCANBRANDON KRISZTALRANDY WITHERSR.J.(Student)
Big 12 North1.NebraskaNebraskaK-StateNebraskaNebraskaK-StateK-State
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ColoradoMissouriColoradoColoradoMissouriMissouriMissouri
MissouriColoradoMissouriMissouriKansasKansasKansas
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Iowa St.Iowa St.Iowa St.Iowa St.Iowa St.Iowa St.Iowa St.
Big 12 South1.Texas A&MOklahoma St.Texas A&MTexas A&MTexasOklahomaTexas A&M
Oklahoma St.Texas A&MOklahoma St.TexasTexas A&MTexas A&MTexas
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Texas TechOklahomaTexas TechOklahoma St.Texas TechTexasTexas Tech
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Big 12 ChampionNebraskaNebraskaK-StateNebraskaNebraskaK-StateK-State
National ChampionNebraskaFlorida St.Ohio St.Florida St.Ohio St.Ohio St.Ohio St.
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