SPORTS UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Thursday, October 13/1994
3B
Wooltricks.
Volleyball player packs lethal weapon
Sean R. Crosier / KANSAN
Kansas sophomore outside hitter Katie Walsh practices digging in practice at Robinson Center. The team prepared yesterday for its upcoming match against nationally ranked Colorado.
Outside hitter's armswing kills an opposing defense
Katie Walsh packs a deadly weapon on the volleyball court. It's responsible for 177 kills only midway through the season.
By Chesley Dohl
Kansan sportswriter
"I always feel like I have longer arms," she said. "I compare them to girlfriends on the team all the time and they're the same length. Maybe it's because I'm so short that they look like they hang down further."
"She has a lethal armwings, Kansas coach Karen Schonewise said. "She doesn't have a great vertical, but she knows the shots and she has a great arm."
"I don't consider myself a real 'standout'ish type player," she said. "I don't try to be the star. I'm the main passer and the main digger, and those are two areas that don't get much recognition. But I'm okay with that. I think it's kind of cool to be the silent leader type."
Offensively, they're the main reason Kansas has chalked up 730 kills so far this season. But that's not Walsh's only specialty on the volleyball court.
SUNFLOWER 804 Massachusetts 843-5000
Walsh also tops-out the team's defensive statistics with 151 digs. Only junior outside hitter Tracie Walt's 132 digs can compare.
Walsh, a 5-foot-8 sophomore outside hitter, said she often wonders about the length of her arms when comparing them to her teammates' reach.
She is an all-around player for the Jayhawks. But more important than turning in team-high statistics, Walsh turns in solid matches for Kansas with consistency.
"She's a very consistent performer for us," Schonewise said. "She's become a real leader this season as one of the most vocal people out on the court. She shares a lot of information with the players."
Walsh, a former standout player on her Mother McAule Catholic all-girls school team in Chicago, talks modestly of her athletic ability. Her favorite part of the game is digging hard-hit balls from the opposite side of the court.
Walsh comes from a large family with three older brothers and one sister, all of whom play sports. Though her brothers influenced her to participate in sports, Walsh said two of her cousins who excelled in collegiate volleyball at Colorado and Texas sparked her interest in the sport.
"She has the ability to do that," Schonewise said about her consistency. "If she's struggling in one area she compensates in another capacity. If she's not hitting well, then she's passing well."
Blocking is perhaps the only area of Walsh's game that she hasn't managed to refine.
As a freshman at Kansas, Walsh contributed immediately as a starter. She produced a total of 227 kills and 24 service aces last season.
ing together for a powerful spike, she's able to excel in other phases of the game with accurate passing, defensive coverage and serving.
On rare occasions when Walsh can't get her tim-
"I think the team expects me to be that way." Walsh said of her discipline on the court. "I think I have a lot of inner strength that helps me push through things."
"But she's working to improve in that department this season," Schonewise said.
player who gave 100 percent effort in practice and games. But she said Walsh turned in a strong practice ethic and led by example on the court.
Despite the Jayhawk's 4-13 record, Walsh said she has remained upbeat about the season.
in this session to demonstrate
Schonweite said it was difficult to discover a
"Our record might not be that good but it doesn't reflect our ability," she said. "I'm not really down about it at all — I can't be."
your
Daily Kansan
RECYCLE
JADE GARDEN
EXPANDED MENU!! TRY IT OUT TODAY!
Lunch Specials from $1.99-4.75
Dinner Specials from $3.95-7.40
FREE DELIVERY!!
(2:00pm until close,$10.00 minimum order)
Hours:
Hours:
Mon-Sat:11:00am-10:00pm
Sun:5;00pm-9;30pm
(feel free to call after hours)
Please mention coupon when ordering by phone
2 Eggs or 4 Chicken Wings with order of $10.00 or more
1410 Kasold
843-8650
Feeling like you need to fill up more space?
Come into GNC and see our wide selection of weightgainers, including Pro-Performance 1850 and 2200 Gold.
WE HONOR
KANSAS
10-8M-F 10-6SAT
1-5SUN
23rd & Louisiana
EDIE VEDDER CARD MEMBER SINCE THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY
"I got my card just the other day and I've already saved on some great new alternative tunes, got a great deal on renting a stereo at Rentco USA and got some cool new duds. Dude, it works!"
It doesn't matter how you spend your time, the Kansan Card can help you save your money.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
University Daily Kansan (119 Stauffer-Flint), The University Book Shop, Jayhawk Bookstore, Kansas Union (2nd level courtesy counter), and Burge Union (1st level courtesy counter).
12
49
北