4B
Friday, November 17, 1995
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Women's tennis team slams fall opponents
Kansas is team to beat in Big Eight Conference
By Dan Geiston Kansan sportswriter
From 1981 to 1991, Oklahoma State dominated the women's tennis scene, winning a record 11 consecutive Big Eight Conference championships. It set the standard that other teams tried unsuccessfully to meet.
But in 1992, the Cowgirls' string was broken by Kansas, and since then, the Jayhawks have become the team to beat, winning the last four Big Eight titles.
The key to a successful spring season lies in the work that is done in the offseason and in the fall tournament season. If this fall season was any indication, Kansas is on its way to a fifth Big Eight championship and fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA championships.
"This was one of the best fall tennis seasons we've had in the history of women's tennis," Kansas women's tennis coach Chuck Merzbacher said. "I think it showed that we are still the team to beat."
The season was highlighted by three major championship victories. Sophomore Christie Sim won the Big Eight Indoor Championship in October in Wichita.
"This was one of the best fall tennis seasons we've had in the history of women's tennis."
women's tennis."
Chuck Merzbacher Kansas women's tennis coach
Sim's victory came a week after juniors Jenny Atkerson and Kylie Hunt won the T. Rowe Price Clay Court Doubles Championships in Baltimore.
Hunt had the biggest effect on the team. The transfer from North Carolina State had 14 singles victories and captured the Central Regional Rolex Championship in Salt Lake City.
"I'm happy because I achieved a lot of the goals that I had," Hunt said. "I wanted to make a good impression on the team and play well. I think that I can only get better."
Despite the success, Merzbacher said he thought that the team still had a lot to prove. The women have to play and practice in the down time between now and January, and they cannot be content
to rest on their past achievements, he said.
"We have to have a full year of playing hard and well," Merzbacher said. "The league is the best it has ever been. We can't take anyone lightly because when you are the defending champions, teams are going to be especially up for you."
But taking people lightly should not be a problem based on the fall results. Merzbacher said that the team had displayed fight, and effort on the court.
Merzbacher said that he hoped to see players finish off more points and be more aggressive in doubles play.
Atkerson and sophomore Maria Abatjoglu made the biggest improvements, and every player finished the season on a high note, he said.
Kansas entered the fall season ranked 27th nationally. Based on that poll, Kansas will play six of its first nine matches during the spring against top-25 teams.
The Jayhawks will try to stay in shape until then by doing conditioning exercises five days a week and hitting for two hours a week.
"We've got our work cut out for us," Merzbacher said. "There's a lot to do, but we'll be ready. The work we do how and the effort we put in helps make us the best in the conference."
Meet will call for strategy from swim teams
The teams dominated Illinois, Missouri and Southwest Missouri State at the Illinois Dual Extravaganza last weekend and remain undefeated.
"We're keeping it all in perspective," Kansas assistant swimming coach Mike Soderling said. "All the way down the line we had good swims."
For the second consecutive week end, the Kansas swimmers and divers are going to be busy.
"As the weekend went along, we stepped up our performance," Shea said. "It showed the maturity in our swimmers."
Kansas student assistant swimming coach Tim Shea said endurance played a key part.
By Bill Kenealy
Kansan sportswriter
Tonight the sprinters will participate in the Nebraska Sprint Classic in Lincoln, Neb. The unique meet allows each team to declare only one swimmer eligible for each of the eight events.
"This meet requires extra strategy." Soderling said.
The Sprint Classic is the first leg of the three-day Husker Shoot Out. The middle-distance and distance swimmers and divers hit the water tomorrow and Sunday.
Kansas coaches will need to make some tough decisions this weekend. They must designate a first scorer and second scorer for each event. The events are split into two heats. One Kansas swimmer will swim in each heat against swimmers from five other schools. The coaches must make sure that they have their fastest swimmer designated as first scorer because theoretically, a
NEW YORK — The federal jury deliberating insurance fraud charges against boxing promoter Don King said it was deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict.
Kansas second scorer could post the event's fastest time and still finish seventh.
Shortly after finishing lunch at 2 p.m. yesterday, the jurors sent McKenna a note that said, "We are irretrievably deadlocked and will be unable to reach a verdict on any of the counts charged."
Judge Lawrence McKenna made no decision on whether to order the jurors to resume deliberations.
The Shoot Out will feature several of the nation's top teams. The Kansas men will face No. 14 Iowa. No. 16 Miami, No. 21 Alabama and No. 24 Nebraska and Utah. The Kansas women compete against No. 9 Nebraska, No. 14 Alabama and No. 15 Arizona State as well as Miami and Colorado State.
The Kansas divers will face stiff competition this weekend. Divers from Miami finished first through third last year at the NCAA Championships.
But Shea said he saw the Jayhawks improving each week.
The Associated Press
"I think everyone's at the point in the season where they are about to improve their times considerably," he said.
Don King's jury unable to decide
Don King
On Wednesday, jurors reheard testimony from a for more employee of Lloyd's of London who said King asked his staff to lie about an insurance claim.
Excerpts of testimony
from accountant Joseph Maffia and other witnesses kept the jury busy most of Wednesday, its third day of deliberations. Jurors are weighing nine counts of wire fraud against King.
Maffia's testimony seemed to bolster a prosecution argument that King instructed his staff to tell Lloyd's of London he paid $350,000 in training expenses to Julio Cesar Chavez for a canceled 1991 bout with Harold Brazer.
Prosecutors allege King faked the contract to make it appear he gave Chavez the money for training expenses.
Chavez testified he never was paid $350,000 for expenses and was not told that King got the money from Lloyd's of London. Chavez's testimony also was read back to the jury Wednesday.
King said he knew nothing about the $350,000 claim and had not discussed it in depth with his accountant.
Maffia was described by the defense as a disgruntled employee who believed he was fired by King in September 1991. King's version was that Maffia chose to leave.
If convicted, King could face up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each count.
Horoscopes
Today's Birthday (Nov.
17): Between now and late
December, decide on your
romantic goals, and make the
necessary commitments. A new trick could solve an old problem in January. A romantic breakthrough in March may feel like a breakdown first. May should be a good time to get married or renew vows. In August, wrap up an old phase of your career, and get started on something much better. You'll be luckier in September if you're working with a team.
Arles (March 21-April 19): Keep your opinions to yourself today, and hold your punches, too. Try to figure out what other people are going to do; don't just go up and ask. If a romantic relationship is developing at work, make sure there is not a prior commitment.
Taurus (April 20-May
20): Today, make sure everything is completed. Completion doesn't mean finished,
though. It's an ongoing process, like doing the dishes.
Romance looks very good for you this week, so make your move. That includes traveling to another town if necessary.
Gemini (May 21-June 21): Learn to do something for which you have little or no talent, and your position at work will be strengthened appreciably. Be on the look-out for an opportunity. If a worker or your true love has an idea that requires spending mutual funds, check it out.
Cancer (June 22-July 22): A change could be traumatic for some people, but you should do very well. Figure out what you want, and be a deciding factor in a decision. Your partner is your source of strength and inspiration. Trouble at home will heal itself.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22):
There could be a test today.
You'll do fine if you remember everything you've learned.
Stay calm, alert and determined to get your way. Hold on to your money unless you can buy something that will appreciate later, like real estate. And don't worry. You'll do fine.
Virgo (Aug. 28-Sept. 22):
Make a bold move. Keep it private,
and you'll get further.
Your luck in love looks very
good. If you don't have the perfect mate yet, let a female friend find one for you. You could make a decision that will change your life for the better tonight.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23):
You may feel like you're caught between a rock and a hard place today. Do what you're supposed to do, and things will work out fine. Be careful with money, though.
Take a practical person's advice, and don't let a strong urge push you into debt.
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov.
21): Love, career and creative activities are on your private agenda. Be discreet, however. Don't let everyone in on plans. You may get an opportunity tonight to wrap up an old project completely. Don't hold on to the hurt feelings you've acquired.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec.
21): Do your chores cheerfully and completely today.
An older person may be in a critical mood. Travel with friends could be fun, but there may be some surprises. You may not be able to get exactly what you want today, so go for what you need.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan.
19): In business, consider an option that is far away. In love, your best choice is practically underfoot. A friend will confirm your hunches, so consult one. If you want to be really productive, get rid of something that is weighing you down.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.
18): Watch and listen today.
Don't try to sell anything;
you'll end up losing money.
Your sweetheart may be trying to tell you something you don't want to hear. Open up — it's coming from love. You may have to discard an old way of thinking to accept a change.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Broaden your focus. An opportunity could be waiting just outside your normal field of vision. If you want romance, look among a group of friends with similar interests. Start by discussing something you're working on. You may find a partner or recommit to one for life.
Note: Horoscopes have no basis in scientific fact and should be read for entertainment only.