8B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 23 2005
SOFTBALL
Kansan file photo
Senior infielder Destiny Frankenstein connects with a pitch during the game against Baylor last season at Arrocha Ballpark. The Jayhawks will compete in the Kansas Softball Tournament in Lawrence this weekend.
Jayhawks swing into action
Positions open as team begins fall season play
BY SAM CARLESON
scarlson@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
The University of Kansas softball team will face its first opponents of the fall tomorrow in the Kansas Softball Invitational.
Kansas will play two games tomorrow at Arrocha Ballpark, one game each against Pittsburgh St. and Missouri Southern. The team will then match up against Rockhurst on Sunday and another team to be announced later.
Kansas' starting lineup is undecided, and this weekend's tournament will determine who will start early in the future, senior shortstop Destiny Frankenstein said.
"Nobody's position is set in stone, and I think everybody likes that because there is somebody behind each one of us pushing us to get better everyday." Frankenstein said.
Senior infielder Jessica Moppin said the players knew the situation and competition for each spot was heating up.
"The coaches are going to have a difficult decision because everyone is playing well," she said.
A talented cast of freshmen will compete for starting positions. Freshman infielder Val Chapple will battle for the third base position while freshman Stevie Crisosto will play multiple positions in practice to see where she will fit in best.
"When you've got some new kids plugged into key positions, you've got to find each other and find out what their strengths and weaknesses are and then learn how to play with these
people," Kansas softball coach Tracy Bunge said. "And that's what the fall is all about."
Pittsburgh St. and Missouri Southern have new head coaches this season. Rockhurst is still in the developmental stages, in its second year.
"We're really going to have to bring our 'A' game and work hard, but they're going to be scrappy, and they could come up behind us," Frankenstein said.
Pittsburgh St. finished last season with a record of 57-26, while Missouri Southern didn't have as much success as they posted a 23-32 mark last year.
"I'm not really worried about the type of competition that we're playing or who we're playing," Bunge said. "We just want to go out and try to execute some things that we've been working on in practice."
Edited by Erick R. Schmidt
Jayhawks come home to roost after victory
BY MATT WILSON
mwilson@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
After compiling an 8-0 record in eight matches at Horejsi Family Athletics Center, the Jahawks are looking forward to returning to the comforts of home tomorrow night against Baylor.
During the past two years, Kansas has compiled a record of 18-4 in its own gym.
The Jayhawks (10-2 overall, 2-1 Big 12) look to rebound from a loss in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday night to the Longhorns.
Kansas volleyball coach Ray Bechard said that protecting home court was vital to the Jayhawks' success in the Big 12 this season.
full advantage of that."
"Obviously, in this conference every match is important," he said. "When you get a chance to play at home, you need to take
The Jayhawks used yesterday's practice to work out some kinks, and they will do the same today. Bechard said he was not happy with the way the Jayhawks defended against the Longhorns. He said they fell short of their side out goals, and allowed Texas to score off the serve.
Offensively, the Jayhawks had better balance. Bechard said it was important to make sure everyone was involved for Kansas to be less predictable in its attack.
Sophomore opposite hitter Emily Brown said the loss to Texas was mostly because of Kansas miscues that could be corrected before the next game.
big things from ourselves."
"We're looking forward to coming back and working on a few things," Brown said. "We'll get them straightened out and expect
Baylor (9-4, 1-1) is coming off a loss at home to Iowa State on Wednesday. The Bears are led by Jim Barnes, who is in his second season coaching in Waco.
He guided the Bears to a 12-19 record last season, including a 4-16 mark in conference play. The Bears were picked to finish seventh this season by the league's coaches.
On the floor, junior middle blocker Desiree Guillard-Young was expected to pace the Bears attack, but a knee injury sidelined her for all but two games this season.
Junior outside hitter Nicole LeBlanc has assumed a leadership role in Guilliard-Young's absence. She leads the team with 3.89 kills per game. She is also averaging 2.87 digs and 0.53 blocks per game, both of which are leading statistics
for the team.
Most important for Baylor is its senior leadership. They have six on the roster, which is something that Bechard said would help them when they go into a road environment.
"Baylor is very experienced," he said. "I know they feel like they're an NCAA tournament type of team."
Bechard said it would be important for Kansas to forget about the loss to Texas before Saturday comes.
"With 20 matches in the Big 12, if you ponder too much on the last one it's going to affect the next one," he said. "We're going to have two good days of preparation, and we're going to give our very best effort against Baylor."
Edited by Anne Burgard
Kansan file photo
Junior outside hitter Jana Correa spikes a ball past two Michigan State defenders. Correa recorded 19 kills and 11 digs during the loss against Texas Wednesday night and will look to help Kansas to a victory against Baylor at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Horesji Family Athletics Center.