Thursday, August 27,1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
Commentary
More things change,more they remain just the same
Things never change.
Barely a week into school, and I've already added and dropped more classes than an NFL team does players in the preseason
Me, and what seems like 3 million other students, have stood in line after mind numbing line in the east wing of Strong Hall (which, if you haven't been in it, feels like a blend between the Louisiana Bayou and Hades — only a tad hotter and a bit stickier) hoping to master the tricknology of the enrollment center.
Every semester, I think it's going to be different. I have these grand delusions that I will love every class, get my books early and then, with ample time to spare, sit back and laugh while everyone else scrambles for dean stamps and closed-class openers. Of course, it never happens.
Things never change.
But, sometimes the status quo can be a good thing. It gives you a sense of stability. You know there are things you can always count on. Things that are.
count on. Things that are reliable and stable.
Things that are assured.
Things that are assured.
Like clueless freshman,
Naismith Drive jammed
with cars after 4 p.m. and
Memorial Stadium never
being more than half full.
(Unless, of course, there
happens to be an extra
30,000 Nebraskans in
town.)
Harley Ratliff
Or my weekly columns providing the campus
with both insightful and intelligent sports
opinion (OK, so maybe that's stretching it)
opinion) so maybe you need a little polish in order to remain interesting. And that folks, is the theme for this years columns: More of the same, only better — kind of like New Coke.
What do I mean, you ask?
I have spent arduous hours identifying the best and most popular items from my columns last year. Once I had several things in mind, I worked on how I could make them better. So, with no further ado, I give you the three items that you can count on reading about again this semester...
1) College football, college football,
college football
It's the best sport in the world. Hands down. Nothing can top college football when it comes to excitement, tradition, atmosphere and pageantry. I'm the kind of college football junkie that you find waiting outside Borders June 13 so I can pick up the summer's first college football preview magazine. Sick. I know.
2) More fearless predictions
Each week, I plan on ending my column with some sort of sports world prediction. If you remember, last year I made such winning choices as predicting Oklahoma to beat Northwestern and Kansas, Charles Woodson to finish out of the Heisman running and Michigan to stumble to another year of gridiron mediocrity.
Heed my sage advice.
3) The Sooners
You've sent hate mail. You've called me a traitor. You've questioned my heart. Heck, a couple of people questioned my mind. But through it all, I know, deep down inside, you all secretly love to hear about Oklahoma football.
You know things never change.
Not even the hat.
Rattliff is an Norman, Okla., senior in journalism.
Sharp shooting hitters dazzle fans
Position ends plays,finds defense holes
By Laura Bokenkroger Kansan sportswriter
It's the crowd's favorite part of the game. It initiates an eruption of euphoric cheer throughout the stands. It's what they remember.
In volleyball, the hitters are the play-finishers. Their job is to win a volley or try to make it hard for the other team to return the ball.
When a volleyball team scores, it gets the adrenaline flowing, not just in the players, but also in the fans. It is often the most memorable part of a game, especially when a score finishes an exciting series, gives the home team the lead or adds to the charge of a comeback.
"Hitters are probably the most well-known because they are the last part of the play," said Mary Beth Albrecht, outside hitter. "It's our job to end the play."
There are usually three hitters in the front row: one on the left side, one in the middle and one on the right side. When the setter rotates to the the front row, she fills the right-side position and joins the other two hitters to complete the front line.
The hitters must be able to spot holes in the defense and in the blocks. Their teammates, who cover behind them in case their shot is blocked, communicate with them, calling out angles that are open.
Kansas volleyball coach Ray Bechard said hitters had a lot to think about. Before any offense can be initiated, the outside hitters are responsible for giving the setter a good pass.
Bechard said that the hitters must be resilient and prepared to attack immediately
Sometimes when the pass is off target or there is a communication problem, the hitters have to adjust in the middle of a play.
after passing the ball to the setter.
"Outside hitters have to be creative because they get a lot of the junky stuff when we get out of sink," Bechard said. "When we're not in system, we won't run a high-risk offense."
Beachard said being in-system required a good pass that left the setter's options open and doesn't take any of the hitters out of the play.
"Ball control is an important skill in a hitter," said Bechard. "They have defensive responsibilities and serve receive responsibilities that initiate a play."
In recruiting a hitter, Bechard said height was an initial factor. The higher an athlete can contact the ball above the net, the better. However, a hitter has many responsibilities and must be a well-rounded athlete.
Beachard said that the middle hitters must have strength and endurance to compete at such a demanding position. They must pursue every block opportunity and they are constantly running from side to side. Middle hitters are typically taller and more physical, but their foot speed and their heart are equally important.
"The difference between a good team and a great team can be a couple of inches," Beachard said. "But I think physicalness and hand-eye coordination are just as important."
"Middle hitters are emotional," Bechard said. "They don't give up easily."
Determination and focus are also necessary qualities in a hitter.
"The hitters are supposed to end the play," said middle hitter Amanda Reves. "I think they have to keep a stable frame of mind. If you get blocked, you can't let it get to
Junior outside hitter Mary Bath Albrecht passes the ball during practice. Albrecht returns as one of the teams best hitters. Photo by Dan Elvasky/KANSAN
you."
Reves said that offense was exciting and that overpowering a team was a thrill that
couldn't be described.
"Volleyball is such a controlled sport, so when you hit the ball hard and the other
team cann't return it or when you block a ball and it goes down hard, it's a great feeling," Reves said.
Assistant bringing her game to new level
Women's basketball receives successful high school coach
By Sam Mellinger Kansan sportswriter
Deb Newkirk is the new restricted earnings coach for the University of Kansas women's basketball team, but the University is not new to her.
As a high school coach, Newkirk worked at KU head coach Marian Washington's summer basketball camps for many years.
Washington said that Newkirk's enthusiasm and ability to motivate the campers was greater than most of her peers at the high school level.
Newkirk has coached high school basketball and volleyball for the last 12 years, most recently for four years at
Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School in Joplin, Mo.
"Through my high school career, I'd been encouraged
cancer, I'd been encouraged — people have even questioned me — as to why I hadn't gotten into college coaching," Newkirk said. "I enjoyed teaching and coaching at high school so much that I didn't consider it for
the longest time."
"I told her that someone like her should seriously think about getting involved at the college level," Washington said. "I think the more I mentioned it, the more she thought about it. A couple years ago, she told me she thought she might be ready, and I said if there was ever an opening here, I'd be more than happy to take her appl
New kirk arrived at Thomas Jefferson for the
cation."
school's second year in existence and coached basketball and volleyball. Newkirk led the volleyball team to the Ozark Eight conference title in her second year and was named conference coach of the year last year.
When she looked at Newkirk, Washington saw a college coach at the high school level.
When former assistant Misty Opat left Kansas last spring.
Newkirk couldn't wait to apply.
"I've had a strong admiration and respect for the program," Newkirk said. "I'm a longtime fan. When coach Washington specifically approached me, I stepped back and looked at my career."
Because she had been working the University's summer
"I told her that someone like her should seriously think about getting involved at the college level.I think the more I mentioned it, the more she thought about it. A couple of years ago, she told me she thought she might be ready, and I said if there was ever an opening here, I'd be more than happy to take her application."
Marian Washington Kansas women's basketball head coach
campus for years. Newkirk was comfortable with the people involved in the program.
"It's been a very gradual change for me on a personal level," she said.
Newkirk's arrival also has meant a gradual change for players like Casey Pruitt with whom Newkirk has worked during the summer camps.
"I've had a lot of respect for her since she walked through
the door," the Pruitt said. "She's always excited and always in a good mood, and that rubs off on everyone."
Liveliness is something Washington said Newkirk would bring to the team.
"She'll do a good job helping the student-athletes when they need to be picked up," Washington said. "She can make things fun, try to find the positives in something."
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