KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2010 / SPORTS
SOCCER
7A
Team puts academics first, succeeds on and off field
BY JACKSON DELAY
jdelay@kansan.com
Time management is often a struggle for college students. For student-athletes, it can be especially difficult because they work to succeed both in the classroom and on the field. The Kansas soccer season is over for senior forward Kaitlyn Cunningham, but she is still working to get her degree. She recognized that learning to manage her time was a process.
"I kind of learned (time management) in high school, playing club and high school soccer, but it is no where near what it is in college. I think freshman year was a big struggle and you kind of notice at in your grades." Cunningham said. "You get used to it, but it kind of depends on the class too. You are obviously taking harder classes as you move up."
It's evident that the soccer program places a high priority on academic performance. Seven Kansas soccer players were recognized for their academic excellence this year. Senior midfielder Erin Lewis and junior midfielder Jordyn Perdue were named to the Big 12 All-Academic First Team, while Cunningham, senior defender Lauren Jackson, senior midfielder Rachel Morris and sophomore midfielder Shelby Williamson were named to the second team.
"Student-athlete, and student is the first part of that," coach Mark Francis said. "Obviously we put a lot of emphasis on that."
Cunningham said that Francis does a good job of stressing the importance of academics to his players.
"Obviously we are here to play soccer, but at the same point we are here to get an education," she said. "Most of us aren't going to go on and play professionally. He makes it a point that if you aren't going to get the grades, then how are you going to be able to play soccer?"
This marks the sixth straight season that six or more Kansas soccer players have received Big 12 All-Academic accolades, something that Francis says reflects their program.
"We've been fortunate that we
have recruited good athletes, but also good students. You aren't going to have that many players make All-Academic Big 12 that many years in a row if you aren't bringing in the right type of kids," he said.
next year. After playing for the Kansas soccer team, Cunningham said the biggest thing she has learned is her work ethic, on and off the field.
Cunningham said there are two important factors that student athletes should keep in mind to stay ahead in the classroom.
"We've been fortunate that we have recruited good athletes, but also good students."
"Number one, staying on top of it with your professors. But number two, staying on top of it yourself and getting things done ahead of time so they aren't mad at you because you are turning it in late," she said.
Cunningham is working toward a degree in exercise science. She has an internship set up in the weight room for Kansas athletes next semester and she plans on trying to get into graduate school
"Obviously I tried to keep up with my academics, but I also tried to work hard at soccer and balance the two," she said.
Francis said Cunningham has a work ethic that sets her apart from other athletes.
"Kaitlyn is an unbelievable kid. She has made the most of the ability that she has, which not every athlete does," he said. "I think a
lot of athletes
MARK FRANCIS Coach
lot of athletes come in and have some natural ability and don't necessarily make the most of it."
Francis said her approach to things has made her successful, and
Cunningham hopes this mentality will help her get a job when she is finished with school.
"I would hope that they would kind of notice that I'm going to put in the time and effort to get the job done," she said.
Cunningham was a captain this year, and Francis attested to her leadership qualities. He also has a lot of confidence in her future.
"I think she is going to be successful in whatever she does," he said.
Edited by Kelsey Nill
Senior forward Kaitlyn Cuningham goes up for a header at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex Sunday against Oklahoma. Seven soccer players were recognized for their academic excellence.
Mike Gunnoe/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
VOLLEYBALL
Jayhawks, Bears face off to break sixth-place tie in Big 12
Mike Gunnoe/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Junior setter Nicole Tate sets the ball to a teammate. Kansas defeated Colorado 3-0 improving to 15-11 overall.
Parkway Shuttle "the easy connection to KCI"
- Convenient stops @ the Oread & Eldridge
- Starting at $36 each way
***Mention this ad and get $7 off 1st round trip
·Guaranteed Reservations
BY IAN CUMMINGS icummings@kansan.com
For Reservations, Call:
1-877-806-7229
The Jayhawks will battle the No. 2 defense in the country when they take on the Baylor Bears in Lawrence on Wednesday. Kansas (16-11, 7-9 Big 12) topped Baylor (14-13, 7-9 Big 12) in a four-setter earlier in the season in Waco, Texas.
Junior settler Nicole Tate said she expected the Bears to be better prepared Wednesday than they were in the previous meeting.
Junior outside hitter Allison Mayfield said good defense would be as important for the Jayhawks as for the Bears. The teams are tied for sixth place in the Big 12 Conference.
The layhawks have won three of their past four matches with a five-setter against Texas A&M last Wednesday and sweeps of Colorado and Texas Tech. Kansas has beaten Baylor in their past two meetings, but the all-time series remains in Baylor's favor at 19-13.
"It's gotta be a good one," Mayfield said. "Whoever wins this one moves up and the other one goes down."
www.parkwayshuttle.com
- Guaranteed Reservations
"It's going be one of those
matches where we're going to need to come out strong," Tate said. "Definitely have to pay attention to them tomorrow."
She said Baylor's blockers were adept at making contact with the ball and helping the back row pick on shirts.
up their opponent's shots.
"Which is something that they're really good at, and it's frustrating," Tate said. "So that's something we're going to try to avoid, or just work around."
ence.
The Bears defense is No. 2 in the nation for digs per set and leads the Big 12 by a wide margin. The Baylor back row averages 18.8 digs per set, which is two more than any other team in the confer-
"Whoever wins this one moves up and the other one goes down."
Baylor finished a series sweep of Kansas State on Wednesday, defeating the Wildcats 3-1 in Manhattan. The Bears offense is led by middle blockers Elizabeth Graham and Tori Campbell. Graham leads the team with 186 kills, a .331 hitting percentage and 76 blocks. Campbell is second in all three categories.
Senior Cattlyn Trice and junior Allison King have led the Bears defense with 5.23 and 4.17 digs per set, respectively. With Trice leading the league and King ranked sixth, they are the only two teammates to share top-10 status in the Big 12.
ALLISON MAYFIELD Junior outside hitter
Baylor has lost three of its past four games with Kansas, two of those in Lawrence.
The Kansas offense is led by senior outside hitter
Karina Garlington and junior outside hitter Allison Mayfield. Garlington is seventh in the Big 12 with 3.54 kills per set and Mayfield carries a season average of 2.89. But they have been helped out lately by senior outside hitter Jenna Kaiser, who has averaged 3.64 kills per set over the past four matches and scored a season-high 17 kills over Texas A&M Wednesday.
On defense, freshman libero Brianne Riley is also coming off of a strong performance, recording a career-best 32 digs Wednesday.
Riley leads the team with 3.88 digs per set for the season, but has averaged 4.93 over the past four matches.
Match time in Lawrence is 6 p.m. at Horeisi Family Athletics Center. The contest will be televised on Metro Sports in Lawrence.
"I think Baylor obviously has a very good defensive team," Riley said. "Kind of like coach said, whichever team plays the best defense and the team with the most digs will probably win."
Edited by Tim Dwyer