PAGE 2B THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2012 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN SOCCER Jayhawks not underestimating opponents NICOLE EVANS As the Jayhawks host two more games this weekend, they hope to continue their winning trend at home after earning two victories at the Kansas Invitational last weekend. Forward Whitney Berry charges downfield past University of California Santa Barbara defenders in the Jayhawks opening game Friday night. The Jayhawks won the game in overtime 2-1, setting off a good start to the regular season. Kansas will first battle the Creighton Blue Jays this Friday night at 5 p.m. The Jays are 1-2-1 on the season, earning their first victory of the year last Tuesday on the road against South Dakota. The Jayhawks plan to end the win streak on the road in Lawrence and improve on their own two-game win streak that started at home. "I think winning at home both days is really important. This weekend is not only important to get the results but also to play on the same level [as last weekend] both games," junior forward/mid-fielder Caroline Kaski said. TYLER ROSTE/KANSAN The squads share more similarities than just the three first letters of their mascots' names. The Jays were eliminated last year in the opening round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The Jayhawks had the same misfortune in the NCAA tournament, but both teams are looking to redeem themselves this year. Kansas is off to a better start in accomplishing that, coming off two shut-outs last weekend to bring their record to a 4-1. Both squads are also missing players because of international recognition for their talent. Kansas senior midtieder Sarah Robbins has been representing her home country of Canada in Under-20 World Cup, which is being hosted in Japan. Jays senior Gabriela Guillen will be absent from the game against Kansas, as she is playing for the Costa Rica National Team in a friendly against Team USA. Kansas senior defender Cassie Dickerson is still absent from the field because of an injury and is expected to be gone between four to six weeks. "Cassie has a really good attitude, and once she is healthy, we'll get her back out there," coach Mark Francis said. On Sunday, the lajahawks will face a young and relatively inexperienced squad in the Arizona State University Sun Devils, with 11 freshmen and two transfer students making up over half of ASU's team. ASU is 1-2 on the season, earning their first win in their most recent game against Northern Arizona University. They face the University of Missouri Tigers this Friday at 6:30 p.m. Freshmen Devin Marshall and Cali Fargulharson had led ASU offensive, scoring two goals each in the team's only victory. Kansas has a strong offensive front this year with a plethora of players to choose from — already having five different player scores this season — for both setting up plays and capitalizing on opportunities to create goals. "You can't just key in on one or two people, making it difficult for other teams to play against us," Francis said. Senior forward/midfielder Whitney Berry continues to be a machine, scoring the first goal for Kansas against UNLV and assisting the other two. Freshmen forward Courtney Dickerson and Ashley Williams have made the most of their debuds. Dickerson scored her first career goal against UNLV to ensure the victory over the Rebels. Williams has already started receiving honors, earning the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week award following a strong opening weekend. Kansas may have the homefield advantage and a better record, but the Jays and Sun Devils present different challenges. The team plans to use every game as a chance to learn and grow as a team, using every game as an opportunity to prove that they deserve the winning record they currently boast. "We can't get caught in the monotony of a routine, but keep each game fresh and exciting, in order to keep winning games," Kastor said. The Jayhawks will play against Creighton this Friday at 5 p.m. before taking on the Sun Devils on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both games will be held at the Jayhawks Sports Complex. — Edited by Stéphane Roque VOLLEYBALL Team to focus on passing, setting for upcoming weekend tournament GEOFFREY CALVERT gcalvert@kansan.com "It's difficult to go back to endgame situations where there's a crazy band hollering at you, and there's a big old razorback walking around the gym, and there's a certain level of anxiety," coach Ray Beard said. After dropping a close match against Arkansas in the title game of the Arkansas Invitational, the Kansas volleyball team is working on recreating endgame situations in preparation for this weekend's Kansas Volleyball Invitational. This weekend in the Kansas Volleyball Invitational, the Jayhawks will play more quality opponents who might battle them later for NCAA Tournament bids. Kansas begins Friday morning at 11:30 a.m. against Sam Houston State in the Horejsi Family Athletics Center. The Bearkats went 18-13 in 2011, and they already have pushed one BCS conference foe to five sets. "Sam Houston State's coming in I think probably feeling pretty good about themselves," Beachard said. "They were up 2-0 against Colorado and lost in five." The lajayhaws face the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes from Conference USA on Friday at 7 p.m. Tulsa went 28-7 in 2011 and won their conference. They reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. In the final match of the invitational, the Jayhawks play Arkansas State at 2 p.m., Saturday. Bechard said he expects Arkansas State to win at least 20 matches this season. "I think that match keys for us are always pass and serve." Carmichael said. "Once you have a good pass and you have a good serve, then you can have a good set and Junior outside hitter Catherine Carmichael said the Jayhawks must be more consistent with their serving and passing, especially late in sets. Inconsistent serving hurt the Jayhawks against Arkansas, when they had 11 service errors, some coming at crucial times in sets. you can have a good swing as well." Although service errors were a problem last weekend, the Jayhawks offense overall was very good. Bechard used 14 players, and five of them recorded at least nine kills in a match. Bechard said he plans on using the Jayhawks' depth again this weekend. "Last year we were a little topheavy on the outside." Bechard said. "We have some goals as to what percentage of balls should go to the middles and outside. It's great to see the score sheet when there's four or five players with eight or nine kills or better, and that's going to serve you well deep into your future schedule." Senior middle blocker Tayler Tolefle said the Jayhawks' depth allows them to have strong offensive performances, because the opposition's defense can't focus on a specific attacker. This lets the Jayhawks' setter pick how to penetrate the opposing defense. "When your passers put you in system it's hard to defend against, when you have three attackers up there and the setter has all three options available," Tolefree said. Junior Erin McNorton earned the most playing time at setter last weekend, but Bechard said her and junior Kara Wehrs would be called upon this weekend, depending on the match situation. Bechard said freshman Maggie Anderson, who was unavailable last weekend because of a family wedding, has practiced well and could be in the mix for playing time this weekend. The team's goal for setters is to be able to correctly identify where balls need to go to keep the offense balanced. Tolefree also said the Jayhawks focused on defensive intensity during practice this week to reinforce the necessity of winning late game points and keeping concentration through the end of a set. "You can hang with a team and beat them out statistically," Toflefree said. "Over the course of the match, you might be good, and then those few points, those last few points, are when you really have to stick it because it's end game." Edited by Ryan McCarthy ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN Junior middle blocker Marianne Bea扎outs out of bounds to save the ball and hit it back over the net during the Crimson and Blue match Saturday afternoon at the Horese Family Athletics Center. The Crimson and Blue match was a scrimmage to prepare the team for their first game on Aug. 4 against Northwestern State in the Arkansas Tournament in Fayetteville, Ark. GET INVOLVED IN STUDENT SENATE Apply to the JayLEAD Internship Program! The Student Senate Executive Staff is now accepting candidates for 12 interns. Applications can be found at studentsenate.ku.edu and are due 9/12 at 5:00pm. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP Every student at KU is guaranteed a vote in their government, so join a Student Senate committee and make your voice heard. The first committee meetings will be held 9/5 at 6:30pm in the Kansas Union. JOIN A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE YOUR CAMPUS. YOUR VOICES. YOUR CHOICES. STUDENT SENATE. @STUDENTSENATE / KUSTUDENTSENATE LAWRENCE'S FIRST LIQUOR STORE 10% OFF ALL SPIRITS 750 ML AND LARGER THURSDAY • FRIDAY • SATURDAY WIN OR LOSE WE STILL BOOZE! 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