University Daily Kansan/Friday, September 27, 1991
SPORTS
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.
"They've been playing so well," Kansas coach Frankie Albiz said. "I think if they keep playing like that, they'll be OK."
But the Big Eight season is a new ball of wax.
The honor of advancing to the Big Eight tournament depends on how well each team does in conference matches.
To advance to the tournament on
Nov. 29, teams must finish in the upper
deck.
Albitz said Big Eight games required a different approach than non-conference games.
"There are things we have to do for Big Eight teams that we can't with others," she said. "The preparation is harder."
Senior Mary Bella said the recent success of the team had given it
"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 improved." Powell said.
The Big Eight statistics show Kansas is a team withdrawn with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 games with a 3.52 average at 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 in 56 games.
"In the past, digging was the only stat where we were not at or near the bottom." Albiz said. "Now, we're creeping up all the stats.
"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.
Albiz 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," Albitz said. "A mutual advantage."
A win could be a tall order against the Sooners.
"What we need to do is stay with our game, which is a ball control game," she said.
Albizt said Oklahoma was a tall team that hit the ball hard.
"We need to guard against getting into a slapstuff 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 Tuлая University, where they will play the Rockets for the title. The Nets beat Tulaia earlier in the season 4-0.
"We are returning a favor," Albitz said. "When a team comes here it's best to return the trip."
Powell said the team would be trying to protect their snapping streak during the season.
By David Mitchell
After a three month wait, Mark Randall is a Chicago Bull. The former Kansas forward signed a one year contract with the NBA Champi-
Randall signs with Bulls
It's official
Randall was the Bulls' No. 1 draft choice and the 26th pick overall in the June 28th 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 $180,000.
Randall, the 1991 first team 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 are not ready to play in a series of physicals before signing.
Dave Randall said he saw his brother's contract announcement on television.
"He called and left a message about three hours later and said that he had signed and everything had gone well."
"I saw it on WGN," he said. "I was as shocked as everyone else
Former Kansas teammate Jeff Guelder said the contract negotiations dragged on as long as they did because of the Bulls' sizable naval wav
Chicago signed forward Scottei Pippen to a long term deal during the playoffs and resigned free-agents John and Jion Paxson this summer.
"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," Guelder 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," she said. "He's 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 Cameron's 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."
Randall's mother, Pat Trapanese,
said she was relieved the signing process
was finally over.
"Needless to say we very excited. He's wanted to be a pro since he was a little boy. Today he realized that dream."
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 while 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 whether it wanted to handle the issue of the state statute."
Booke said he hoped the breakthrough would allow UNIV t 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
BvJeff 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."
W schwartz that despite traveling through such areas, he still unfamiliar bird (bird) will be ready.
"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, a 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 to show how we stack up against Washington."
Running for the men will be seniors
Shearan Sandier, who finished first for
the Jawahars and 10th overall at Sam Froese
and Donnie Anderson.
Junior runners at the meet will be Alcen Bolton and Ladd McClain. Sophomores include David Johnston, Kienan Slate and Michael Cox, who finished for the team two weeks ago and first in the season opener at Southern Illinois.
"It will be a good test to run against some quality runners," he said. "I'm sure it'sexciting for them to have some team. Kansas coming to their meet."
Sheridan said that because Kansas was a major university and nationally
Sheridan, who grew up in Vancouver,
said the team was looking forward to
getting to work with them.
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-
"I'm sure it will all make it more of an incentive to them," he said.
Sophomores Ashley Ace, Daniela Daggy and Rachelle Gundy and freshmen Kristy Kloster and Melissa Swartz will also compete.
hawkInvitationa
Saul said the team should have no problems with the Northwest's climate.
"Anyone who runs in Kansas year-round can really adapt anywhere," she said. "We should have a chance to win if we go in 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 trip 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.
*Asiafax is a good high school
facility for telent in the
government office.*
"It will be a great opportunity from an athletic standpoint and a personal experience."
Team members not going to Vancouver will compete in the Johnson County Community College Cavalier Cup.
"it's always a good meet," Schwartz said. "it 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 Kieron Slate, from
Sheridan said his grandparents would be driving up from Seattle to see the meet.
"They've neverme runmur in college," he said. "I'm also planning on looking up some of my old grade numbers, giving 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.
"No matter what, this will be..."
Sean Sheridan
for what, this will be a good meet for me," he said. "I don't get to see my family very often."
Slate 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," he said.
Sheridan said he planned to get some miscellaneous items in Canada that were not available in the United
"I'm planning on bringing back a whole case of salt and vinegar potato chips. Love them," he said. "I'm also going to get some soap candies. They're sort of like gummy bears."
Sheridansaidhe was anxious to get back to Canada, even though it would be a short trip.
"I haven't been to the Northwest for three or four years," he said. "It's really beautiful country."
Cornerback Doug Terry, right, tries to break up a pass to wide receiver Matt Gakay. Taking advantage of an off week, the Jahwahys practiced yes-to-no coverage at cornerbacks.
Holding on
Braves 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 pen­nant, winning 8-0 last night.
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 Reggie Sanders hit his first home run in the major leagues.
The Associated Press
Rijo (15-5) scattered eight hits in seven innings.
Rijo three struck, struck out seven and pitched out
of several jams. Rijah has won seven of his last eight starts and a career high for victories.
Norm Charlton and Steve Foster each pitched one inning, completing the shutout.
Martinez打 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 Leibrandt (15-12), who won his last six six-for-one.
The Reds scored four unearned runs in the sixth innning off LeBrandt and put a damper on the crowd of 42,431, which put the Braves home attentions on hold. The second time since they moved to Atlanta in 1966,
The Braves have drawn 2,006,644 so far with
Shortstop 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.
three home games remaining. Atlanta drew a franchise-high 2,119,935 in 1983.
Paul O'Neill singled, and both runners moved up when Leibrandt balked.
Sanders homered in the ninth, set up by another error.
Reliever Pete Smith entered the game, and Joe Oliver greeted him with a two-run single.
SPORTS BRIEFS
Crew to row in Iowa reqatta
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.
Among the other schools competing in the regatta are Drake University, the university of Iowa and the University of Minnesota.
49ers nose tackle returns
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Nose tackle Jim Burt came out of retirement yesterday and re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
Burt, who officially retired July 12,护 his physical Wednesday and practiced with the team yesterday at the Los Angeles Raiders on Sunday.
Browns linebacker injured
BEREA, Ohio - Linebacker Mike Johnson, the Cleveland Browns' top tackler and a two-time Pro Bowler, was 23 points for weeks after breaking his right foot.
Coach George Seifert said that injuries to Pierce Holl, Larry Roberts and Kevin Fagan necessitated luring Burt out of retirement.
Johnson is expected to miss at least three games and could be out for as long as a month.
Coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday that Johnson sustained a broken bone in front of hisankle 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 A&M football player who suddenly died on 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