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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2012
SOCCER
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Jayhawks look ahead to weekend matchups
NICOLE EVANS
nevans@kansan.com
The heat wave has been predicted to pass in favor of cooler; autumn-like breezes just in time for the jayhawks to go head-to-head against two more non conference teams this weekend at the jayhawk Soccer Complex.
Freshman forward Courtney Dickerson races to beat the UNLV goalie to the ball on Aug. 26 at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex. The Jayhawks defeated the Rebels 3-0.
The Iayhawks are coming off their first tie of the season against Arizona State this past weekend. The team was sluggish to start off the game, allowing ASU to control possession for most of the first half. Kansas managed to snag the lead on a first-half goal from freshman forward Ashley Williams.
TARA BRYANT/KANSAN
Senior goalkeeper Kat Liebetrau continued to play strong, earning five saves in the game. Despite gaining an early advantage, the lajahvays could not stop Arizona State from scoring twice in the second half. The goals were both scored through set pieces — the first goal being set up by a corner kick and the second a free kick — the validity of the free kick sparking controversy from the Kansas bench.
"Well, I think the two goals we gave up, one of them - the free kick - the goalkeeper obviously got fouled but nothing was called," coach Mark Francis said.
The Jayhawks managed to tie the game through the creativity and persistence of senior forward/midfielder Whitney Berry's 83rd minute goal. The
team does not plan to linger on the second-half setback against Arizona State, with two more opponents travel into Lawrence this weekend.
"Obviously we want to win," freshman forward Courtney Dickerson said. "We want to continue to get better and keep pulling off the win, keep playing as a team and keep progressing. Every position has a certain thing to work on, so we all just want to continually get better."
The Jayhawks will first host the Bears from Missouri State this Friday. The Bears finished last season with a 12-5-2 record, reaching the MVC Tournament for the second season in a row. The team lost a strong senior class last year and has 13 new faces on this year's squad.
So far, the Bears have managed to gain a 3-4 record this season. They defeated Oral Roberts 3-1 last Sunday, earning their first road victory. Kansas has honed in on the Bears and plan to use its talent to stop Missouri State from starting a road winning streak.
They face Appalachian State Friday before they travel to Lawrence to face the lawythaws. The Wolfpack return six starters, including two defenders and four midfielders, and 17 players overall from last season; a team that
"We have specifics we want to work on against Missouri State, especially defensively, so we can break them down defensively," Francis said.
Kansas will challenge North Carolina State on Sunday afternoon. The Wolfpack have obtained a winning record of 4-2 this season and are currently on a four-game winning streak, including two straight shutouts.
accomplished a 10-8-2 record.
Kansas has had a strong start this year, with their plethora of returns showing leadership and guidance to the impressive freshman class that has gotten into the groove of playing in
Division 1 competition early. The team continues to play with confidence and effort and does not plan to stop that trend this weekend.
Kansas will test themselves against Missouri State this Friday at 5 p.m. before taking on North Carolina State Sunday at noon.
—Edited by Stéphane Roque
VOLLEYBALL
Serving and passing is key
Charleston Cougars, who went 25-10 in 2011, including 14-2 in the Southern Conference.
The Cougars feature redshirt junior outside hitter Darcy Dorton, who transferred to Charleston after winning a national championship with Penn State.
"They've got a Penn State transfer that played on a national championship team," coach Ray Bechard said. "They've got a great middle in Sloane White. So there isn't a lot of name recognition there, but a very good volleyball program."
Kansas will finish the Jayhawk Invitational Saturday at 6:30 p.m. against Wyoming, which is 8-0 entering the tournament. The Mountain West Conference coaches selected senior outside hitter Jodi Purdy as the conference's preseason co-player of the year.
After Charleston, the Jayhawks play Arizona State Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Sun Devils enter the Invitational with a 6-0 record.
When the tournament finishes Saturday, the Jayhawks will have played seven matches in nine days, all at home. Being physically rested is key for this weekend, junior Caroline Jarmoc said, but the team must be constantly preparing mentally for the tournament.
It will be the second major conference opponent the Jayhawks have faced so far, having lost to Arkansas in the final of the Arkansas Invitational.
"We can always improve on everything, but we always talk about serve and pass," Riley said. "That's our main thing, staying aggressive on our serving, and if we pass well, then we'll play well."
Junior defensive specialist Brianne Riley said the key for the weekend was executing their serves and passes.
"I think being rested going into the weekend, and just also constantly thinking about driving and outworking the other team, because when the middles drive and work hard, it alleviates all the pressure off the pins to perform," Jarmoc said.
She also said the team focused last weekend on controlling their first contact and that it would be important again this weekend, especially against Charleston.
"Coach (Bechard) said that they're going to be a really tough opponent, but mostly that it's going to be controlling our side with the first contact and being aggressive on offense and defense as well," Jarmoc said.
Edited by Sarah McCabe