8A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2004
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Another shot at victory
Brian Lewis/KANSAN
Ashley Michaels goes up for a block against Iowa State, as teammate Paula Caten watches during Wednesday's game.
Volleyball team to try to snap 10-year losing streak against K-State
By Bill Cross
bcross@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTSWITTER
The last time Kansas beat Kansas State in volleyball, the current volleyball seniors were in fifth grade.
matter in five games.
The Jayhawks have one more chance to end the streak before the 10th anniversary of that victory. The Wildcats host the Jayhawks at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at Ahearn Field House in Manhattan.
It was Nov. 16, 1994. The underdog Jayhawks came back from a 2-1 deficit to win the match in five games.
"It's going to take a great effort, but we think we've got it in us," he said.
Kansas coach Ray Bechard, was optimistic after Wednesday's sweep of Iowa State.
The 10-year losing skid is not a factor for his players, Bechard said.
"They don't care. They don't remember 10 days ago," he said. "They just know that, since they've been here, it hasn't gone as well as they'd hoped."
Kansas State coach Susie Fritz, who played for Bechard for two years at Barton County Community College and later became his assistant, said the streak did not affect her players for better or worse.
"I like to think my players won't let themselves get distracted with any kind of streak, good or bad," she said.
She said playing against her former coach did not affect the match.
"I'm proud of what she's done, but it's a Big 12 match like everyone else," he said.
Bechard said he did not change his coaching when he faced Fritz.
Middle blocker Ashley Michaels, one of four seniors who could take their last regular season shot at the Wildcats tomorrow, said the team would have to beat tournament-caliber
teams in the conference, such as Kansas State, to make its second-ever NCAA tournament.
Junior outside hitter Paula Caten, a Barton County transfer, said the Jayhawks had to win tomorrow to keep their postseason hopes alive.
"We have to do it. This is it," Caten said. "Before, we'd say, 'Oh, we can lose this many games.' We don't have that anymore."
Michaels said the team would be ready.
be ready." "This is our last chance," she said. "We've come real close the last couple years."
Earlier this season, Kansas State defeated Kansas in five games at Horejsi Family
Ahearn Field House, however, has never been kind to the Jayhawks, who have not won a set in Manhattan since 1999.
Athletics Center. The previous match, also played at Horejsi, also went to five games before ending in a Wildcat victory.
Caten said she intended to help end both losing streaks tomorrow afternoon.
tornow afternoon.
"I need it," she said. "Our team is prepared. We can do it."
Bechard said a victory would mean the most to four of his players.
pierce "It's one last shot at going into Manhattan and getting a win for these seniors."
Edited by Neil Mulka
FRII
PAUL DAVIS A LEADER WHO LISTENS
We need legislators in Topeka who are part of the solution, not part of the problem. In the past two years, State Representative Paul Davis has been a leader who has offered solutions to the difficult challenges that our state faces. He has tackled the tough issues because he listens to your concerns.
- Paul listened when you said schools should be properly funded.
- Paul listened when you said the Legislature should keep its promises to KU and the other regents institutions.
- Paul listened when you said senior citizens and persons with disabilities should get the services they deserve from the state
- Paul listened when you said state government ought to run more efficiently and bureaucracy should be streamlined.
Let's send Paul back to Topeka on Tuesday to keep fighting for us!