SPORTS
University Daily Kansan/Friday, September 27, 1991
11
Kansas prepares for Big Eight race
By Jeff Kobs
Kansan Sportswrite
A new season begins tomorrow for the Kansas volleyball team.
The Jayhawks will bring a 15-game winning streak to Oklahoma where they will open the Big Eight Conference season.
But the Big Eight season is a new ball of wax.
"They've been playing so well." Kansas coach Frankie Albiz said. "I think if they keep playing like that, they'll be OK."
The honor of advancing to the Big Eight tournament depends on how well each team does in conference matches.
Albitz said Big Eight games required a different approach than non-conference games.
To advance to the tournament on
N.Y.C. teams must finish in the upper
division.
"There are we things we have to do for Big Eight teams that can't wain' with others," she said. "The preparation is harder."
Senior Mary Beth Bella said the recent success of the team had given it a sense of confidence.
"Everyone is ready for the Big Eight to start," she said.
Senior Adrian Powell agreed.
"Because we've been playing so well, I think we're ready to prove to everyone and to the Big Eight how much we've imitated." Powell said.
The Big Eight statistics show
Kansas is better prepared with
Kansas is near the top in most team and individual statistics.
For example, Powell, who is ranked 15th nationally in digs, leads the Big Eight in digs with a 3.52 average a game in 52 games.
Julie Woodruff, ranked 10th nationally in assists, is second in the Big
VOLLEYBALL
Eight with a 12.1 average in 51 games.
The team is second in kills in the conference, averaging 14.4 of 56 games.
"In the past, digging was the only stat where we were not at or near the bottom," Albitz said. "Now, we're creeping up in all the states.
"It's so tremendous for us."
Another sign of hard work surfaced when senior setter Woodruff earned Big Eight player-of-the-week honors this week.
She was chosen after making 151 set assists in four matches at the Iowa Hawkeye Classic, a meet the Jayhawks won.
Albizt said if Kansas could continue playing with that type of intensity, they would have a good shot at success in the Big Eight.
"If we can break in with a win, it will put us on more of a roll," Albtz said. "A mental advantage."
A win could be a tail order against the Sooners.
Albitz said Oklahoma was a tall team that hit the ball hard.
"What we need to do is stay with our game, which is a ball control game," she said.
"We need to guard against getting into a slugfest with them," she said. "There could be a tendency to go for power hits and return the favor.
"We have to use strong discipline."
After the match with Oklahoma, the Jayhawks will go to Tulsa University, where they will play the Rockets for the N.B.A. championship beat Tulsa earlier in the season 3-0.
"We are returning a favor," Albizs says. "When a team comes here it's best to welcome."
Powell said the team would be trying to protect its winning streak during the second half.
Randall signs with Bulls
After a three month wait, Mark Randall is a Chicago Bull. The former Kansas forward signed a one year contract with the NBA Champions yesterday.
It's official
By David Mitchell
Kennesaw Sportswriters
Kansan Spc
Randall was the Bulls' No. 1 draft choice and the 26th pick overall in the June 26th draft.
To earn the 12th spot on the Bulls' roster, he is expected to compete with backup center Scott Williams.
Williams, an unsigned free-agent,
is recuperating from shoulder surgery and is not expected to play until December.
Exact terms of the contract were not released, but because of the NBA salary cap, the contract is thought to be worth no more than $810,000.
Chicago signed forward Scottie Pippen to a long term deal during the playoffs and resigned free-agents and right wing Jon Paaxson this summer.
Former Kansas teammate Jeff Guelden said the contract negotiations dragged on as long as they did because of the Bulls' sizable payroll.
Randall, the 1991 firstteam All-Big Eight selection, will become a restricted free agent at the end of the 1991-92 season.
Dave Randall, Mark's brother, that an oral agreement had been reached Monday but that the Bulls were not yet ready to be a series of physicals before signing.
"He called and left a message about three hours later and said that he had signed and everything had gone well."
Dave Randall said he saw his brother's contract announcement on television.
"I saw it on WGN," he said. "I was as shocked as everyone else.
"He wanted to be
a pro since he was a little boy. Today he realized that dream."
Pat Trapanese
Mark Randall's mother
"The big wait was to see what they could offer Mark." Guelden said. "There wasn't a lot of money to go around."
Bob Frederick, Kansas athletic director, said Randall's signing was a testament to the forward's ability.
"I think the fact he was a first round pick by the NBA Champions was a real credit to the kind of player he is," said Shane McMahon, the consum- team player."
Frederick also said the signing reflected well on Kansas basketball
"We're going to be seeing a number of players drafted out of Roy Williams' program because they are so wowing and they are team players," he said.
"We could see from his agent it was going to be a long, drawn out process," she said. "The last week or so was difficult.
"Needless to say we're very excited. He's wanted to be a pro since he was a little boy. Today he realized that dream."
Randall's mother, Pat Trapanse, said she was relieved the signing process was finally over.
The Associated Press contributed information to this story.
Former Kansas forward Mark Randall became the Big Eight Conference's all-time leader in field goal percentage before he was drafted this year by the Chicago Bulls in the NBA draft's first round.
UNLV dispute may be decided by end of year
The Associated Press
UNLV counsel Brad Booke said NCAA investigators and attorneys agreed during the meeting to allow the university to review evidence gathered in the investigation.
LAS VEGAS — UNLV officials, back from a meeting with the NCAA, say they are hopeful that charges against the school's basketball program will be resolved by year's end.
The case had stalled when the NCAA and attorneys determined how the review of the evidence would violate neither Nevada state law nor NCAA enforcement procedures.
"What this does is it gets the process moving again," Booke said. "We were in a holding pattern, if you will, waiting for the NCAA to decide how it wanted to handle the issue of the state statute."
Booke said he hoped the breakthrough would allow UNLV to appear before the NCAA's infractions committee during its Nov. 15-17 meeting in Kansas City, Mo.
If that happens, UNLV might get a final resolution of its case by the end of the year.
"I'm hopeful we can make it in November," Booke said. "I think now that the parties are all in agreement, it is an attainable goal."
UNLV faces possible probation or other penalties stemming from a letter of inquiry from the NCAA that alleges a number of violations in the UNLV basketball program.
Cross country teams look toward Vancouver meet with optimism
By Jeff Kobs
Kansan Sportswriter
The Kansas men's and women's cross country teams not only will be out of town for tomorrow's meet, they will be out of the country.
After a week off from competition, the men's team, ranked 13th nationally, and women's team will travel to Vancouver, Canada, for the Simon Fraser University Invitational tomorrow.
"Both teams are at a level where we can go in expecting to win," Kansas coach Gary Schwartz said. "The objective is to win it."
Schwartz sai that despite traveling through two time zones to unfamiliar places, he didn't know what to do.
"Any time you take a team that far, how they travel makes a difference," he said. "It will also be a little different course to run.
"Our team has proven they can make those adaptations."
Besides host Simon Fraser, the Jayhawks will face competition from Washington University, Central Washington, Western Washington, British Columbia, and the University of Victoria.
The women's race, a 5,000 meter run,
will begin at 11 a.m., and the men's
race, an 8,000 meter course, will start
at 12:45 p.m.
The men's team will face another top team, the 14th-ranked Washington
CROSS COUNTRY
Huskies.
"Rankings are rankings," Schwartz said. "A lot of the people who have ranked us haven't seen us run, it will be hard for us to show how we stack up against Washington."
Running for the men will be seniors Sean Sheridan, who finished first for the Jayhawks and 10th overall at the NCAional, Sam Foose and Donnie Anderson.
Junior runners at the meet will be Aecle Bolten and Ladd McClain. Sophomores include David Johnston, Kienan Slate and Michael Cox, who finished second for the team two weeks ago and the season opener at Southern Illinois.
Sheridan, who grew up in Vancouver, said the team was looking forward to playing in Canada.
"It will be a good test to run against some quality runners," he said. "I'm sure it'sexciting for them to havesome friends from Kansas coming to their meet."
Sheridan said that because Kansas was a major university and nationally
"I'm sure it will all make it more of an incentive to them." he said.
Running for the women will be senior captain Cathy Palacios and junior Julia Saul, who finished first for Kansas and fourth overall at the Jay
Sophomores Ashley Ace, Daniela Daggy and Rachel Gundy and freshmen Kristy Kloster and Melissa Swartz will also compete.
Saul said the team should have no problems with the Northwest's climate.
hawk Invitational.
"Anyone who runs in Kansas year-round can really adapt anywhere," she said. "We should have a chance to win if we go with a competitive attitude."
Kloster said she had no idea what to expect at the meet.
"I'm really nervous but ready for the competition," she said.
Schwartz said the trip provided many benefits for the team.
"Every season we try and take a
where we haven't been before," he said.
"We get to run against teams we normally
don't run against."
Schwartz said there was also a recruiting advantage in making a showing in the Northwest.
"It will be a great opportunity from an athletic standpoint and a personal success."
"Washington is a good high school state for talent," he said. "We've recruited for several years up there."
Team members not going to Vancouver will compete in the Johnson County
"It's always a good meet." Schwartz said "I will keep everyone active."
Track meet provides homecoming for two
Kansanstaffreport
When the cross country team travels to Vancouver this weekend it will be extra special for two Kansas runners.
For senior Sean Sheridan, who spent the first 81/2 years of his life in Vancouver, and sophomore Kienna Slate, from Penn State, he is a graduate of
"They've never seen mineunlurkin-
ge," he said. "I'm also planning on
looking up some of my old grade
grades." He gave them a surprise phone call.
State said his parents had never seen him run for Kansas and would make the 6-hour drive from Colfax, Wash. to the meet.
Sheridan said his grandmother would be driving up from Seattle to see the meet.
"No matter what, this will be a
"No matter what, this will be a good meet for me," he said. "I don't get to see my family very well."
State said it would be different than most meats because he would be familiar with some of the opponents.
"I know four varsity guys at the University of Washington," he said. "I know they will be ready for us. If we run like that, I'll be fine."
Sheridan said he planned to get some miscellaneous items in Canada that were not available in the United States.
"I'm planning on bringing back a whole case of salt and vinegar potato chips. I love them," he said. "I'm also going to get some soap candies. They're sort of like gummy bears."
Sheridan said he was anxious to get back to Canada, even though it would be a short trip.
Comerback Doug Terry, right, tries to break up a pass to wide receiver Matt Gay. Taking advantage of an off week, the Jawhawks practiced yes-to-no offense during practice.
"I haven't been to the Northwest for three or four years," he said. "It's really beautiful country."
Holding on
Kraves fall two behind Dodgers in NL West after 8-0 loss to Reds
ATLANTA — Jose Rijo shut down Atlanta for seven innings, and the Cincinnati Reds damaged the Braves' hopes of capturing the NL West penant, winning 8-0 last night.
The Associated Press
The second-place Braves lost for the fourth time in five games and fell two games behind the idle Los Angeles Dodgers. Both teams have nine games remaining in the regular season.
Carmelo Martinez drove in three runs, and Regis Sanders hit his first home run in the major leagues.
Rijo (15-5) scattered eight hits in seven innings. He walked three, struck out seven and pitched out
of several jams. Rijkshaven seven of his last eight starts and set a career high for victories.
Norm Charlton and Steve Foster each pitched one inning; completing the shutout.
Martinez hit a two-run double in the second innering after Barry Larkin singled with one out, and Eric Davis drew a two-out walk from Charlie Brandt (15-12), who had won his six decision.
The Reds scored four unearned runs in the sixth inning off Leibrandt and put a dumper on the crowd of 42,431, which put the Brewers home attentive. The second time since they moved to Atlanta in 1966
The Braves have drawn 2,006,644 so far with
three home games remaining. Atlanta drew a franchise-high 2,119,935 in 1983.
Shrigt停 Jeff Blauer booted Sanders' grounder leading off the inning. Larkin followed with a single, and Chris Sabo had an RBI grounder. Davis drew a walk, and Sabo stole third before Martinez lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, making it 40.
Paul O'Neill singled, and both runners moved up when Leibrandt balked.
Reliever Pete Smith entered the game, and Joe Oliver greeted him with a two-run single.
Sanders homered in the ninth, set up by another error.
Crew to row in Iowaqatta
The KU Crew, Kansas' rowing team, will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, tonight, where it will compete in the first regatta of the season.
The action will begin at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.
The men's and women's varsity teams will compete in five races at the Head of Des Moines Regatta. The novice rowers will compete in two.
49ers nose tackle returns
Among the other schools competing in the regatta are Drake University, the University of Iowa and the University of Minnesota.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Nose tackle Jim Burt came out of retirement yesterday and re-signed with the Sap Francisco 49ers.
Browns linebacker injured
Burt, who officially retired July 12, passed his physical Wednesday and practiced with the team yesterday at the Los Angeles Raiders on Sunday.
Johnson is expected to miss at least three games and could be out for as long as a month.
Coach George Seifert said that injuries to Pierce Hort, Larry Roberts and Kevin Fagan necessitated luring Burt out of retirement.
BEREA, Ohio - Linebacker Mike Johnson, the Cleveland Browns' top tackler and a two-time Pro Bowl player, will play weeks after breaking his right foot.
Coach Bill Belichck said Wednesday that Johnson sustained a broken bone in front of his ankle early in Sunday's 13-10 loss to the New York Giants. He was placed on injured reserve.
Kicker's death is a mystery
COLLEGE STATION, Texas—An autopsy on the body of a Texas A&M football player who suddenly亡于 the field did not immediately disclose a cause of death.
James Glenn, 19, a walk-on freshman kicker from League City, Texas, collapsed at about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, just before the Aggies scheduled practice at Kyle Field.
From The Associated Press and Kansanstaffreports