SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14,2007
VOLLEYBALL
WWW.KANSAN.COM
Freshmen see action in Big 12 play
BY RUSTIN DODD
rdodd@kansan.com
PAGE 1B
Melissa Manda did all the normal things freshmen do when they move to college. She went to Target with her parents, decorated her room and tried to get used to being in 250-person lecture classes.
But unlike most freshmen, Manda also had to deal with moving right into the starting libero position for the Kansas volleyball team.
"It can be kind of tough to find time to sleep," said Manda, a Witcha native.
But Manda's story is a familiar one around the Kansas volleyball program. Coach Ray Bechard has used four freshmen in his rotation at certain times this year. Manda and jenna. Kaiser, another.
Jenna Kaiser, another Wichita native, have seen substantial court time. Freshmen Karina Garlington and Melissa Townsend also have played big points for the Jayhawks this year. Bechard said he didn't remember the last time he had this many freshmen.
Manda
men contributing to the team.
"You have to expect some growing pains, a little bit of inconsistency." Bechard said. "Hopefully as they get more comfortable, we'll see less and less of those up and down times."
Manda has shined at times for a Kansas team that is 7-4 after losing its Big 12 conference opener to Kansas State on Wednesday. She has played in all 11 matches. Her 3.8 digs per game leads the team and ranks ninth in the Big 12. But although the libero's main job is to feed the ball cleanly to the setter, it also requires constant communicate with teammates.
"It can be kind of intimidating," Manda said. "But the upperclassmen have been very welcoming."
Bechard said that Kaiser, who leads the team with 2.38 kills per game, has been thrown into a tough situation as well. Kaiser, an outside hitter, has played most of the season on the left side. "It's one of the most difficult positions to try to make the transition to in Big 12 play," Bechard said.
Junior middle blocker Savannah Noyes said the toughest part about the freshmen transition was keeping your confidence up. The Indianola, Neb., native said it was natural for freshman to get down when things didn't go right on the court.
"The upperclassmen just need to keep them confident," Noyes said.
Although Bechard said he had maybe done a little more teaching at times this year, he said the real key was having your captains and upperclassmen provide good examples.
"That's the biggest thing." Bechard said. "That's where the young players are going to look to first, their teammates."
— Edited by Ashlee Kieler
TAKING 'EM DOWN
game info
Kansas at Oklahoma 11 a.m. Saturday
Kansas travels to Norman, Okla., to take on the Sooners at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Kansas is 7-4 this season and 0-1 in the Big 12.
Oklahoma (8-2, 1-0), a Sweet 16 team last season, is 8-2 this season, but the Sooners are coming off their biggest win of the year, a 3-2 victory at No. 25 Texas &M.
Oklahoma - Mariana Blum, Senior
- The Big 12 conference defensive player of the week for Sept. 4-9 is averaging 5.40 digs per game.
Key Players
Kansas - Emily Brown, Senior - With junior Natalie Uhart out indefinitely with an undisclosed injury, Kansas needs a special effort every time out from the versatile Brown. The Badwin City native is averaging 1.83 kills per game. 6.68 assists per game and 1.73 digs per game.
Joe Mortensen is known as a skilled linebacker who gets himself in the right spot at the right time. He had to spend a good deal of time in the video room to learn about the game and add to his hard hitting style.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Big hitter hits the video room
BY ASHER FUSCO afusco@kansan.com
I've always considered myself a hitter. Growing up I played middle backer, and I've always loved contact."
Mortensen's love of contact should be obvious to anyone who has watched the junior linebacker lay waste
Mortensen
to opposing running backs for the past year. Not so obvious but equally important are the below-the-surface adjustments Mortensen has made.
"I've learned to watch film better," Mortensen said. "I can recognize what packages teams are in. I can see the formations and what plays they could run on any down and distance."
Mortensen, who shifted from outside to middle linebacker at the start of this season.
held a physical edge over his opponents during his high school years. He said his ability to dominate the game physically allowed him to play as a rover, blizzing at will and seldom dropping back into pass coverage.
When he arrived at Kansas, the Concord, Calif., native could no longer get by on pure athleticism against opponents who equaled his size and strength. Mortensen said he
looked at veteran teammates such as Nick Reid and Kevin Kane as examples of linebackers who stood out because of their ability to combine physical talent with mental sharpness. After Kane graduated and turned his job over to Mortensen, he stuck around the football program and helped teach Mortensen how to
the three favorite plays they like to run, so before the snap I can put myself in the right spot," Mortensen said. "You don't have to run a 4.4 or have a 40-inch vert. You can be in the right spot and be a good football player."
The extra homework has paid off in a big way. Through two games, Mortensen leads the team with 17 tackles and 5.5 tackles-for-loss. His fantastic perfor-
watch film and analyze offensive schemes.
"I can see each formation and know
"You don't have to run a 4.4 or have a 40 inch vert. You can be in the right spot and be a good football player."
JOE MORTENSEN Kansas junior linebacker
mance last weekend against Southeastern Louisiana propelled him to the top of the Big 12 tackles-for-loss leaderboard and into a tie for 10th place in the conference for tackles. Coach Mark Mangino said Mortensen's move to middle linebacker and his increased focus on the mental side of the game have led to the
early-season breakout.
"Joe was a product of, 'If I lift weights."
Big 12 stats
Big 12 Conference knickles-for-loss leaders
1. Joe Mortensen, Kansas — 5.5 TFL
2. Nic Harris, Oklahoma — 4.5 TFL
3. John Larson, Kansas — 4 TFL
work out and hit people on the practice field, I'll be a good player," Mangino said. "We've been able to explain to Joe, and he's really grabbed onto it, that there's a mental aspect to this game. The game is not only for rough, tough, hard-nosed guys — it's still a thinking man's game."
There was never any question whether Mortensen was rough, tough or hard-nosed. Now that he's hitting the film room as hard as the practice field, there isn't much of a doubt that he will make a fine middle linebacker.
Edited by Jeff Briscoe
Team feels no pressure to win Women face Huskies, No.4 Pilots at Portland Invitational
SOCCER
BY ALISON CUMBOW
cumbow@kansan.com
KANSAS VS. PORTLAND AND WASHINGTON PREVIEW
the second game of the weekend is on Sunday when the Jayhawks play the Washington Huskies.
the Portland Pilots, its fifth opponent of the season, tonight at the Portland Invitational in Oregon.
The KU women's soccer team will face
Quinn
Kansas is on the prowl for its first win of the season this weekend, although the odds are against the Jayhawks.
They have only scored one goal so far this season, and have lost all but one game, which they tied 1-1 against Auburn.
HOW DO THE OPPOSING TEAMS STACK UP?
The Portland Pilots, 3-1-0, were ranked first in the country last week, but fell to fourth after losing to Purdue 1-0 on Sunday.
Both Kansas and Washington do not have any wins on their record this season, and unless the game produces a tie, either team's record will drastically change.
Sunday's game will yield an interesting result after the 90-minute match.
Sunday's game against the Huskies, 0-4, well-wielded. - en.wikipedia.org
Francis
HOW DO THE CHANCES LOOK
FOR THE JAYHAWKS
THIS WEEKEND?
Coach Mark Francis was optimistic about the team's chances this weekend. He said no one was expecting them to do well, so no pressure would be hanging over the
Senior goalkeeper Colleen Quinn echoed her coach's thought, and agreed that the weekend would be a great opportunity for the team.
"I'm really excited, because we have nothing to lose," she said.
He said he thought that mentality was good for the team.
The anticipation to do well this weekend for the Jayhawks is high, and the room for more losses is narrowing for eligibility in the NCAA tournament.
WHO SHOULD THE JAYHAWKS BE WATCHING OUT FOR?
women.
ON THE PORTLAND PILOTS:
Who: Rachel Rapinoe
Position: Senior forward
Why: She is the leading scorer this season with four goals
**Who:** Kelsey Davis
**Position:** Sophomore goalkeeper
**Why:** She has a knack for saving even the toughest balls.
ON THE WASHINGTON HUSKIES:
**Who:** Dani Bridges
**Position:** Senior midfielder
**Why:** She has started every game, 63, during her college career.
**Who:** Melissa Beal
**Position:** Junior forward
**Why:** She has three game-winning goals on her record, including a win against Hawaii.
WHAT ABOUT THE COACHES' RECORDS?
RECORDS?
Coach: Jayhawk Coach Mark Francis
Length at School: Nine years
Record: 97-63-10
Coach: Pilot Coach Garrett Smith
Length at school: Five years
Record: 81-12-7
Coach: Husky Coach Lesle Gallimore
Length at school: 14 years
Record: 137-112-18
Edited by Ashlee Kieler