CARDS BACK IN FIRST With another 3-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates,the St. Louis Cardinals move back into first place in the National League Central with a record of 5-4.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
PAGE 1B
》 TENNIS
Lisa Lipovac/KANSAN
Elizaveta Avdeeva, Obninsk, Russia, junior, returns a serve during a singles match against Kansas State's Viviana Yrureta. Avdeeva lost 6-4, 6-3.
Jayhawks fall despite No.2 doubles victory
BY RUSTIN DODD
The Kansas tennis team left First Serve Tennis Center disappointed and emotionally drained after their fifth consecutive loss.
Kansas fell to Kansas State 5-2, dropping the Jayhawks to 4-13 and 2-6 in the Big 12.
The loss dropped Avdevee and Horvath to 13-4 in dual play and continued a disturbing trend - Kansas is 0-13 when losing the doubles point.
Kansas' doubles problems continued, despite an 8-6 victory from junior Lauren Hommell and freshman Kunigunda Dorn at No. 2 doubles. The normally reliable No. 1 doubles team of junior Elizaveta Avdeva and sophomore Edina Horvath fell 8-4, and junior Stephanie Smith and sophomore Yuliana Svistin dropped the No. 3 doubles match, 8-4.
"We had a great chance to win the doubles point," said coach Amy Hall-Holt. "I was very impressed with how Kuni and Lauren came out. They had a lot of good energy ... but Eliza and Edina just didn't show up today and they'll be the first to admit that."
The victory from Dorn and Hommell also marked the first time the No.1 or No.2 doubles teams have won since March 10
against Nebraska
"I thought as soon as we won, the No. 1 doubles match would be a lock. They always win," Hommell said.
Kansas was able to draw the duel even at one match apeiece with a three set victory from Dorn at No. 3 singles. Svistun won in No. 5 singles because her opponent was injured. But the good news for Kansas ended there. Avdeeva and Horvath both lost straight set matches almost simultaneously, and Hommell fell at No. 4 singles to clinch the victory for Kansas State. Smith concluded the duel with a loss at No. 6 singles to make the final score 5-2.
Hall-Holt said the month long winless streak has taken a toll.
"They're tired of it," Hall-Holt said, "We just have to keep our heads up, keep our confidence up and keep practicing hard everyday at practice."
Kansas returns to action at home against Colorado on Sunday, and then concludes the regular season the next week with duels against Oklahoma and Texas A&M.
Kansan sportswriter Rustin Dodd can be contacted at rddd@kansan.com.
— Edited by Jyl Unruh
Game postponed
SOFTBALL
Both teams agreed to cancel Wednesday's Border Showdown due to the poor conditions. They rescheduled the game for Wednesday, April 18 when Missouri comes to Arrocha Ballpark.
The Kansas and Missouri softball game was postponed because of wet and cold conditions in Columbia, Mo.
The meeting next week was
supposed to be a single game, but will now be a double-header with game one starting at 3 p.m.
Kansas (27-14-1, 3-4 Big 12) now gets more time off before hosting Texas A&M (31-6, 5-3 Big 12) this weekend in Lawrence.
The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday against the Aggies at Arrocha Ballpark.
Evan Kafarakis
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Rush keeps options open
NBA DRAFT
**intense speculation surrounds** sophomore guard Brandon Rush, and whether he will leave Kansas early for the NBA Draft. With the departure of sophomore Julian Wright, Rush is the next player who is likely to declare.
Arthur, Chalmers, Collins will return for another year
Freshman forward Darrell Arthur and sophomore guard Mario Chalmers received attention from pro scouts this year, but both reaffirmed Tuesday that they'll be back for another sea-
brandon Rush has yet to make a decision on whether he'll enter the NBA Draft, but two other Jayhawks who were on the fence have committed to another season.
Chalmers asked coach Bill Self to look in where he might be drafted, and ultimately decided he could improve his standing with another year in Lawrence.
"From what they were saying, I would have been in the first round," Chalmers said. "But I think it's better for me to come back. I've made my decision, and I'm ready to come back for another great year."
Self said that Arthur, nicknamed Shady, would be a strong NBA prospect in the future.
Spoon's uncertain future: There are no worries that junior guard Brad Witherspoon will bolt for the NBA, but it's not known for sure yet whether he'll be invited to join next year's roster.
Arthur took less time to make up his mind, saying that he's known since the end of the world that he's loved.
"People like Shady a lot," Self said. "But he's just a freshman. He's young, and it's going to be a strong draft."
The team will add a new walk-on, guard Conner
"I'm just going to wait and see. It's going to come down to the last few weeks, when I can get a feel for who is going to get picked."
"I haven't really talked to anybody about it, because I wasn't even thinking about it," he said. "I never decided, because I always knew I was coming back."
With the departure of Julian Wright, Arthur will likely earn a starting spot next season. He plans on working on his strength and conditioning during the offseason to prepare for his new workload.
the end of the season that he would be back.
BRANDON RUSH Sophomore guard
and a new walk on guard Conner Teahan of Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo. Still, Self said he had yet to make a decision about Witherspoon, who became a fan favorite after joining the team during open tryouts.
"I like him," Self said. "I haven't decided what we're going to do."
Collins laughed.
Sherron's rumor control: Assistant coach Kurtis Townsend was talking with freshman guard Sherron Collins on Monday, and mentioned that a rumor was circulating that Collins was transferring to DePaul.
"This is for everybody," he said. "I don't know where it came from, but Sherron Collins will not be leaving Kansas. I'm staying at Kansas through my whole career. Whatever it takes."
Since the rumor first hit the internet, Collins has
SEE BASKETBALL ON PAGE 3B
》FOOTBALL
Fresh offense gives fans more upbeat style of play
BY ASHER FUSCO
In these terms, the Jayhawk offense is heading into the 2007 season with a brand new head on its shoulders.
Think of a football team as a human body: the coaches represent the brain, the quarterback the heart, and all of the other players the various limbs and appendages.
When Kansas hired Ed Warinner to fill the role of offensive coordinator this past winter, media and fans raised questions about what style of play he would bring to the team.
"it's more up-tempo" Meier said. "They're trying to let us get out there and cut loose."
If the words of sophomore quarterbacks Kerry Meier and Todd Reesing are any indication, fans are in store for some exciting football when the Kansas offense takes the field.
"We're utilizing our playmakers a lot more," Reesing said. "We're playing to our strengths instead of just running plays."
The offenses tendency to "just run plays" during previous offensive coordinator Nick Quartaro's tenure frustrated many. Instead of trying to exploit defenses by throwing the ball downfield, the layhawks often opted to play more conservatively, using screen passes and short runs.
From the start of spring practices, coach Mark Mangino has been adamant that the changes in the offensive scheme will be for the better.
Mangino said the streamlined offense allows the players to focus on making plays rather than struggling with complex terminology.
Even though the game plan has been simplified, the young quarterbacks have been forced to make adjustments this spring.
"It's been more mental than anything," Reesing said. "Learning a new offense with a new coach, there will always be a learning curve."
Meier has only started eight games in his career at Kansas, and Reesing has only appeared in three games. But an offense focused on athleticism should fit either quarterback like a glove.
Reeing is slight of stature but quick enough to evade defenders and Meier has proven that he can use his size and quickness to run the option play effectively.
Meier's experience running the option could help him gain the upper hand at quarterback in an offense that players said was based heavily on the spread scheme. The spread offense uses three or four receivers on nearly every down and keeps the opposing defense on its heels with quick passes all over the field.
As of Wednesday, the coaching staff had not decided which quarterback will take the reins of the new offense.
Meier said he and Reeing are currently in a "deadlock" in the race for playing time. The two quarterbacks have spent equal time practicing with the first team so far this spring.
Kansas fans will have their first opportunity to catch a glimpse of the retooled offense at the spring game this Sunday afternoon. The game is at 3:30 pm at Memorial Stadium. Entry and parking are free of charge.
Kansan sportswriter Asher Fusco can be contacted at afusco@kansan.com.
Edited by Mark Vierthaler
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