THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN SPORTS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2005
WWW.KANSAN.COM VOLLEYBALL
'Hawks hope to crest the Tide
PAGE 1B
Kansas to open new season against Alabama, UMKC
BY MATT WILSON
mwilson@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
After a long off season of preparation, the time has finally come for the Kansas volleyball team to get back on the court.
The KU Volleyball team kicks off its 2005 campaign tonight against Alabama in the first match of the State Farm Jayhawk Classic at the Horeisi Family Athletics Center. On Saturday night, Kansas will entertain UMKC in the final match of the tournament. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Alabama comes into the season with high expectations as well. The Crimson Tide have been picked to finish third in the SEC West by the league's coaches. They will put a fairly young team on the court, with only two seniors on the roster. Four players were lost from last year's team that went 21-9 and tied for first in their division, including two all-conference performers.
Kansas looks to get off to a quick start, much like it did last year by posting a 9-0 record before the Big 12 season. The team went on to finish 19-12 and tied for sixth in the conference standings.
Kansas senior setter Andi Rozum said the Jayhawks were excited for the season to commence and to get a shot at the
Crimson Tide.
"We played Alabama in the spring, and I think they will be tough," said Rozum, referring to training the two teams did together in second-semester scrimmages last year. "They have a lot of newcomers, but they will be a good test for us."
The Crimson Tide is led by coach Judy Green, who is beginning her 10th season in Tuscaloosa.
Kansas coach Ray Bechard knows Green and her situation well because they were friends who were hired at their respective schools just months apart.
The Kangaroos have plenty of new faces this season, but Bechard said he thought they would provide a good test for his team
"We've had a lot of conversations about what it takes to get a Division 1 program in a competitive conference to the level of play you want and she is very close to doing that," Bechard said. "Friday night will be an extremely difficult opener.
UMKC was 7-21 last season, good for sixth place in the Mid-Continent Conference. The Jayhawks dispatched the Kangaroos 3-0 last year in Kansas City. Kansas has dominated the all-time series between the two clubs, winning 22 of 23 match-ups.
"They are a little bit of an unknown," Bechard said. "They were competitive against us last year, though, and I'm sure they'll be competitive again this year."
"They moved the season up a week this year, and we usually don't feel like we're ready anyway."
Ray Bechard Kansas volleyball coach
The Jahawks hope to build off back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances as they return five starters from last year's squad. Kansas is expected to finish in the top half of the Big 12 again, led by three-time all-Big 12 senior middle blocker Josi Lima. Freshman middle blocker Savannah Noyes and junior defensive specialist/libero Jaime Mathewson will fill the starting spots vacated by the departures of Jill Dorsey and Ashley Michaels.
Bechard said he felt anxious about the preparedness of his team but that it was nothing beyond the norm.
"They moved the season up a week this year, and we usually don't feel like we're ready anyway." Bechard said, laughing. "It's jumped up on us pretty quickly, but we're looking forward to it."
— Edited by Patrick Ross
Jana Correa, junior outside hitter, spikes the ball during the alumni scrimmage Saturday. The Jayhawks open their regular season in a match against Alabama tonight at 7:00pm at the Horesji Family Athletics Center.
Rylan Howe/KANSAN
▼ 'HORN BORN, 'HAWK BRED
Memorial Stadium experience better than Fieldhouse
TRAVIS ROBINETT
TROBINETT@KANSAN.COM
The University of Kansas is a basketball school, so it may be a popular belief that basketball games are the best perk of being a student here.
Basketball games are awesome, but there is one place I would rather be than Allen Fieldhouse going crazy for the Jayhawks.
I respectfully disagree.
KANSAN.COM EXCLUSIVE
Even when the basketball team wins, it's always expected. Hardly anyone gets too excited about defeating a mediocre opponent.
On the other hand, great things are not expected from the football team. This allows fans to value the experience of game day rather than worrying about the outcome. Then, when great things happen, it's that much more surprising and enjoyable, even if it is only against an aver-
the jayhawks — Memorial Stadium.
Lots of you are thinking I'm insane as you read this, but there are three good reasons why KU football games are more fun than KU basketball games.
Tell us what you think.
Vote in our online poll at kansan.com/sports.
First, there are different levels of expectations. At basketball games, winning is the only option. Otherwise, Kansas fans are severely disappointed.
Sure, the Jayhawks will win most of the time while providing fantastic basketball and a lot of great memories. Keith Langford's game winner against Georgia Tech last New Year's Day will always have a place in my heart.
But when the basketball team loses, the entire campus seems to become depressed. Remember Iowa State? I sure don't want to.
age team.
Beating Kansas State and Missouri over the past two seasons gave students opportunities to tear down the goal posts. Even though both of
Another reason football games are better is the stress factor. The preparation it takes to attend a basketball game is insane. If you want to sit anywhere close to the court, camping out is your only option.
But when the clock ran out and the crowd looked at the score, the surprise victory led to an ecstatic celebration.
our rivals turned out to be run of the mill, a loss would not have been out of the ordinary. Having experienced many before, everyone would have quickly recovered from another.
From my experience, waking up at 5:30 a.m. to attend the lottery or to take the first shift for the group isn't. Waiting for the
SEE ROBINETT ON PAGE 3B
Instant replay to debut
Big 12 coaches can now call for official review
BY RYAN SCHNEIDER
rschneider@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
After a trial by the Big Ten Conference last season, instant replay will make its Memorial Stadium debut Sept. 3.
Jim Marchiony, associate athletics director, said Kansas will use instant replay in its three non-conference games against Florida Atlantic, Appalachian State and Louisiana Tech.
It will also be used in all Big 12 Conference games.
"We monitored the Big Ten experiment," Bob Burda, Big 12 assistant commissioner, said. "We owe it to our fans, athletes, coaches and member schools to correct the correctable."
Burda said that according to NCAA replay guidelines, only plays that involve factual disputes would be eligible for replay. Plays involving judgements by officials, such as penalties, would not be eligible for replay.
The Big 12 instant replay system is similar to the system used by the Big Ten last season
All reviews will be initiated by the replay official stationed in the press box. The replay official has until the ball has been snapped for the next play to decide if the previous play is reviewable.
The Big 12 instant replay system involves the following steps:
Conference games that won't
The game referee will be notified by a page by the replay official that a play is under review. The referee will then make an announcement that a play is being reviewed.
The replay official, in coordination with the on-field referee and an alternate official, will determine by a video if there is indisputable evidence to overturn the call made on the field. A decision by the replay official will be relayed to a referee on the field.
REPLAY REVIEW
The following will be features of instant replay in the Big 12 Conference:
Bill Callahan, former NFL coach and current Nebraska coach, said that while he supports the Big 12 system, he would like to see coaches be able to challenge calls made on the field, like in the NFL.
-Source Big 12 Conference
◆ Estimated budget for implementation is $650,000 to $700,000
- Instant Replay will be used in all Big 12 games and nonconference games with consent of opponent
The replay official will make the decision, in coordination with an alternate game official and the on-field referee
Replay official will determine if there is indisputable evidence to overturn the call on the field
Burda said that because of the configuration of stadiums in the conference, it may not be possible for officials on the field to view the video replays. He said that such decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis depending upon the school.
Burda said that Tim Millis, Big 12 Supervisor of Officials, had coordinated training between Big 12 officials and officials from the Big Ten and the NFL.
be televised will be produced by Fox Sports Net, using four cameras for replay purposes.
Edited by Jayme Wiley
"I know I would like to have a red flag in my pocket for a game-changing decision," Callahan said, in reference to the NFL replay system.
KJHK moves out for instant replay
BY RVAN SCHNEIDER
rschneider@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
The University of Kansas' student radio station, KJHK, will return to calling football games this season. But it won't be in the friendly confines of a press box.
In a joint decision by the station and Kansas athletic department officials, KJHW will now broadcast from outside.
The move was made in response to the Big 12 Conference adopting instant replay for the upcoming season. Big 12 rules stipulate that the instant replay officials be stationed in a secured booth, inside the press box. KJHK will move to allow the officials to take over one of the limited number, of available media boxes.
broadcast from an outdoor platform on the ninth floor.
"We're not going to complain." Chavez said. "The football staff has been very willing to work with us."
In previous years, KJHK had called games from a booth on the eighth floor of the press box. This season they will
Mason Logan, associate media relations director, said that Chavez and KJHK had been
Jimmy Chavez, KJHK sports director and Kansan sports columnist, said that department officials approached the KJHK sports staff about the move in July.
cooperative and understanding throughout the process.
Chavez said that KJHK had more opportunities than other college radio stations to broadcast games. The station will join the football team in Kansas City, Mo., this season to call the Jayhawks' first game at Arrowhead Stadium.
"It actually could be worse," Chavez said. "It was never as bad as it was made to seem."
Edited by Erin Wisdom
}