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SPORTS NIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1995
Volleyball team ends losing streak
Kansas beats Tigers in three game sweep
By Bill Petulla
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas volleyball sophomore middle blocker and right-side hitter Maggie Mohrfeld was the gambler last night. She knew when to hold 'em and knew when to fold 'em.
She dealt a Kansas all-time match record of seven aces.
Behind the serving of Mohrfeld, the Kansas volleyball team swept Missouri
in three games 15-13, 17-15 and 15-6 to
avenge a previous loss to the Tigers.
"I really think this is going to be the turning point in our season," Mohrfeld said.
For Kansas (6-12 overall and 1-3 in Big Eight Conference play), which stopped a six game losing streak, last night's victory was much-needed.
"This was a very important win for us," Kansas volleyball coach Karen Schonewise said. "It's nice to get back on the winning track."
Along with Mohrfeld, the Jayhawks were paced by sophomore right-side hitter Kendra Kahler, senior middle blocker Jenny Larson and freshman outside hitter Laura Rohde. All three registered
double digits in kills.
"I think we played with a lot more intensity," Larson said.
Sophomore Tiffany Sennett had all but two of the Jayhawk sets. She also registered 49 assists.
For Missouri, who beat Kansas in five games on Sept. 30 at Columbia, Mo., yesterday's match was a different story.
"Kansas played with more confidence tonight," Missouri volleyball coach Disa Johnson said. "They played a lot better defense tonight, and they were focused."
The young Tigers, who started four freshman, were unable to overcome the powerful Jayhawk defense.
"They got to a lot more balls tonight than they did when we played them the
first time," Johnson said.
Missouri was led by sophomore outside hitter Chandra Hopkins, who finished the night with eight kills and 10 digs.
With 602 in attendance, Schonewise said she pleased with the fan support.
The Jayhawks were able to defend themselves against the Tigers right-side hitter Jodi Maune. Kansas held the 6-foot-2 inch freshman to three kills.
"It's easier to get fired up when there are other people getting fired up with you," she said.
Kansas will play rival Kansas State at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Allen Field House before "Late Night with Roy Williams."
Doxzon isn't ready to give up
By Robert Sinclair
Kansan sportswriter
Before the season began, Iowa State Junior quarterback Todd Doxzon expressed what many people probably were thinking about the Cyclones football program.
"We're probably the least talented team in the Big Eight (Conference), and we understand that" he said.
However, he wasn't finished.
"But the heart is there," Doxzon said. "Our attitude and desire will make up for our talent."
The 6-foot-1 quarterback from Omaha, Neb., personifies what the Iowa State football program has been going through during the last two years.
After the Cyclones' disappointing 0-10-1 season last year, Doxzon seriously considered transferring. But when Iowa State football coach Dan McCarney was hired, a whole new enthusiasm for the game came with him.
Todd Doxzon
"It's been real good. I'm real pleased with our coach staff." Doxzon said. "I've got a real good relationship with all the coaches and especially with Coach Mac."
A lot of the talk this year has been about Iowa State sophomore tailback Troy Davis. Although Davis is one of the leading rushers in the nation, averaging around 200 yards a game with ten touchdowns, the team is by no means a one-man show.
"I've always been impressed with Doxzon," Kansas football coach Glen Mason said. Mason said he was more impressed when he met Doxzon in person.
During Doxxon's two-year career at Iowa State, he has accumulated 702 yards rushing with seven touchdowns while running the option. He also has thrown for 930 yards and five touchdowns during the same span.
"He was a more physical, bigger player than I thought." Mason said.
Someone else who takes Doxzoon seriously is Kansas sophomore linebacker Jason Thoren.
Matt Flickner / NEWS NEWS NEWS
"He's a good runner, and he can throw the ball well too. He's another guy who's a good athlete," Thoren said. "He can turn up field and do a lot of things with the ball. He's going to be hard to contain."
Doxzon is equally impressed by the Jayhawks.
"I've been watching them quite a bit on film, and they look real good," he said. "They like flying to the ball. Overall, I'm real impressed."
Although the Cyclones have improved, they're not quite where they want to be yet.
"I think we've progressed quite a bit. We're still short on completing the deal, though," Dozzon said. "We've come close a couple times. Now we've got to get it done."
Kansas junior running, back June Henley (20) vaults over the goal line for a touchdown against Colorado. The Jayhawks will put their 5-0 record to the test against Iowa State on Saturday. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
"Late Night with Roy Williams" Schedule — Saturday, Oct. 14
One giant leap for Kansas
7 p.m. Doors open
8 p.m.- Volleyball match; Kansas vs. Kansas State
9. 9:30 Distribution of "Late Night with Roy Williams" tabloids at entrances to the fieldhouse
10 p.m.: Kansas All-Sports Pep Rally — members of varsity sports other than the basketball teams will be introduced and perform the Rock Chalk chant
Kansas women's basketball team introduced
Performances from basketball players, including skills.
Junior Jajhawk Slam Dunk Contest — register in the East Lobby of Allen Field House, today and tomorrow, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
10:30 p.m.-Entertainment begins
Spirit Squad Performance
Midnight - Lap around the court
11:59:30 p.m. - Countdown to midnight
Pregame layups followed by dunks (probably featured on ESPN2)
Midnight - Lep around the court Introductions
12:18 a.m. - Tip-off of Crimson and Blue Scriffmage. For first 20 minutes, clock runs continuously.
Halftime of scrimage - Half-court shot for a year's free tuition, room and board-student. Student selected at random earlier that night.
vation Army.
Second half of sorrimage - Clock can be stopped by time-outs.
ESPN2 will tape parts of the pre-midnight festivities and may show the m during its coverage of "Late Night."
Canned food will be collected for the Sel-
ESPN2 tentative schedule includes
SECTION B
11:59 p.m. - pre-midnight hype
Midnight - Show Jayhawks running onto the court.
Special features
Tennis players hope to make a smash in weekend tournament
Live shots of "Late Night" at Minnesota and Mississippi State
Half-foot shots at air three schools. Live shot of Memphis senior forward Michael Wilson's attempt to dunk on a 11-foot-B-inch basket. If Wilson slammed it he will break a world record. He has a four-foot vertical leap.
Half-court shots at all three schools
Kansan sportswriter
By Dan Gelston
Kansas seniors Victor Fimbres and Michael Isroff and soohmore Trent Tucker will play for the Jayhaws.
Eight victories will advance a player out of the pre-qualifying rounds for the ITA All-American tournament, beginning Saturday in Austin, Texas. But one loss will eliminate a player from the tournament — one of four collegiate Grand Slam tournaments.
Three players from the Kansas men's tennis team know this weekend that eight will be enough.
If they advance, they then will play in the qualifying round. They will enter the main draw by winning in the qualifying round.
Kansas assistant men's tennis coach Matt Knoll said the expectations for the tournament were high because the players were talented and well prepared.
"It will be a lot — a ton — of tennis," said Tucker, who also will play doubles with Isroff in the qualifying round. "But I expect to qualify. This will be my chance to prove myself on the national level and allow me to better my game against some good competition."
"I expect to see some of the guys come through and qualify." Knoll said. "Victor is certainly ready to make a splash in the national scene. Trent and Mike have really been playing well as of late."
Preparing for this weekend has been grueling for Kansas.
said. "I know I'm in physical shape, but the grind is going to come mentally. I have to come ready to play every day."
"The coaches have been working us to death." Tucker
Abaroa has developed into one of the best players in the country, which is illustrated by his All-American status. Two weeks ago at the Tulsa Invitational, he defeated the No. 9 player in the country.
If any of those three players makes it to the qualifying round, he will be joined by Kansas sophomore and All-American Enrique Abaroa.
His goals are simple—to be in the main draw and win.
"Players have seen I've beaten some of the best players in the country," Abaroa said. "I think they know I will be a tough opponent."
"Every match is going to be a tough match," he said. "But if I play like I can, I have a good shot."
One of the incredible things about sports journalism is how its stories and personalities sometimes can extend beyond the stadiums and arenas. Sometimes, major issues often emerge as well.
Glenn Burke was robbed of his career, his pride and his life.
Being gay shouldn't be an issue
Not everyone may be familiar with Burke and his story, so let me give
The sexual orientation of athletes is an issue of particular importance that usually is avoided in those stories that extend beyond the sports section. And with National Coming Out Day yesterday, I wanted to put my two cents in, so here goes.
you a little history.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were a major powerhouse in baseball during the late 1970s, winning back-to-back National League Championships in 1977 and 1978. One of the Dodgers' emerging stars at the time was a young outfielder named Glenn Burke.
Burke was well-accepted and admired by his teammates until rumors began to seep out around the Dodgers' clubhouse. Later, they were found to be true — Burke was gay. Soon after the discovery, his teammates and manager Tommy Lasorda wanted him out.
Let me interrupt our saga to speak a bit about Lasorda, a fine baseball manager but not a very tolerant person. Soon after learning Burke was gay, Lasorda found out that his son, Tommy Lasorda Jr., was gay, too. The elder Lasorda denied it — right up to the day Tommy Jr. died of complications of AIDS. To this day, Lasorda will not talk about his son or Burke because of ignorance and fear.
But back to Burke. The Dodgers, trying to stay quiet about Burke's sexual preference, traded him to Oakland, where he spent several seasons with the then-struggling Athletics.
Martin, when he wasn't drinking with his buddy Mickey Mantle or slapping women around in topless bars, was a devout Christian. And like most devout Christians, he saw homosexuality as wrong and therefore didn't want Burke on his team.
Once again, whispers were heard around the organization about Burke's sexual orientation. And once again, he received negative feedback from his manager, who was Billy Martin.
Navratilova's career didn't suffer as much as Burke's, but her potential to sign endorsements and become an ambassador for U.S. tennis did.
Louganis' fear surfaced at the 1988 Olympics, when he cut his head on the diving board. The public was unaware that he was gay and HIV-positive, something he still had not come to terms with.
Several years later while Burke was living San Francisco, he learned he had contracted the AIDS virus. After a long struggle for which he spent most of the time confined to his bed, Burke died last year — tired, lonely and broke.
This time, Burke struck first. He gave up and retired, a victim of stereotypes and narrow-mindedness. But the story doesn't end there.
There have been other gay athletes who have struggled with both coming out. Two names that come to mind are Martina Navratilova and Greg Louganis.
Since coming out, Louganis has been able to reconcile many of the problems in his life.
Seeing D lunganis work out with the Kansas diving team last April was an incredible experience I will never forget. Nobody in Robinson Natatorium that day thought about the fact that he was gay or had the AIDS virus — they were in awe of an Olympic legend. That is the way it should be.
But the stigmas and fears still exist. And there are also many gay athletes trapped behind the fear of coming out and letting people know the truth.
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I hope that will change someday.
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