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SPORTS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1995
For Kansas freshman Kris Sell and her three siblings,the game of tennis is...
SECTION B
All In The Family
Richard Devinki / KANSAN
Kansas freshman tennis player Kris Sell has had a thorough tennis education. As a sophomore in high school, she moved to Tampa, Fla., to practice and compete at the Palmer Tennis Academy.
By Dan Geiston
Kansan sportswriter
With the tennis world's climate the way it is, having a tennis family that is somewhat functional seems about as rare as an uninterrupted baseball season.
Stories of burned-out teenagers or abusive and tax-evading fathers at times have overshadowed the grandeur of the game.
But one family has been able to rise above the turmoil and still remain down-to-earth. And for the next four years, a member of this family will showcase her abilities as part of the Kansas women's tennis team.
Kris Sell has spent most of her life immersed in the game she loves. That is because Sell has an older sister and brother, who already have achieved collegiate stardom as tennis players, and a younger sister, who also is establishing a name in tennis.
The Sell children were raised by parents who were supportive but not overbearing.
"My parents didn't play tennis, but they had an interest in sports," Kris said. "It was my brother and sister that played. I look up to my older brother and sister, and if they didn't play, I don't know if I would have ever picked up a racket."
There is a lot to look up in to the careers of Jenny Garrity (formerly Jenny Sell) and Mike Sell.
Garrity is the oldest of the four children. She started the Sell dominance while at North Carolina State, where she played from 1988-92. She finished her career with the most victories in Wolfpack women's history. She was a two-time all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection and the first Wolfpack women's tennis player to be ranked nationally.
"All four of us kids have always been real close," Garrity said. "Certainly the tennis aspect of it helped, but we are a real tight family regardless. I'm extremely proud of what we've accomplished."
keep an eye on each other's progress.
Fennis/Collegiate Championships semifinalist. He is now on the professional circuit and is ranked No. 480.
But the age gap between the two oldest and two youngest Sell children has made it difficult at times to keep an eye on each other's
"Mike and I went out and hit with them whenever we could, but it wasn't a lot," Garrity said. "I really didn't get a chance to see Kris' high school tennis. I played more of a supporting role."
"It was a tough situation for us, but I pretty much stayed out of it," Garrity said. "I didn't want anything to strain our relationship. It was probably the best thing that she went to Kansas."
After Garrity graduated, she became an assistant at North Carolina State, and this year she is beginning her first year as head coach there. That led to the possibility that Garrity could recruit her sister. As intriguing as the opportunity was, the sisters agreed it was not in their best interests.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
With North Carolina State Kris Sell, Jenny Garrity, Kathy Sell and Mike Sell out of the picture, the next pose with their coach, Alan Ma (center). question was whether Kris
Jen and Georgia on her mind. Georgia was where her brother, Mike, rewrote the record books. He was a four-time ITA singles All-American and a 1992 Volvo
in singles competition after just six months on the tour. "I've seen some very talented players who don't put the work into their game that my sisters do," Mike said.
Kris relocated to the Palmer Tennis Academy in Tampa, Fla., in her sophomore year in high school to assure her the best tennis education. There she was played against some of the best players in her age group in an atmosphere that allowed her to develop.
"It was really comforting to have people who cared at the camp, Kris said. "Because the other students were all athletes, it was easier to relate to them. We all knew what the other person was going through."
Kris' mother, Mary Jo, followed her to Palmer and worked in administration and student services, while Kris' father, Bud, stayed behind in New Jersey.
We warned the kids to be sport they could play all their lives," Mary Jo said. "We did nothing to encourage them to play. Once they showed an interest in the game and that they would
"We wanted the kids to find a
take it seriously, we wanted to give them every opportunity we could to develop their game."
Mary Jo now looks after the youngest of the Sells, Kathy, who is a 16-year-old junior at Palmer. She is ranked No. 1 nationally in girls doubles and is in the top 20 in singles.
One might think that such a competitive family would be extremely competitive with each other, but that isn't the case.
"We like to just hit with each other and practice," Kris said. "We don't really compete, but just for fun, for bragging rights."
"I can't play against Kris or Kathy. My ego can't take it." Garrity said with a laugh.
Kansas women's tennis coach Chuck Merzbacher said Kris' unspoiled outlook would go far in making her a success.
"She can be a great college player," he said. "By that, I mean she has an opportunity to be an All-American."
Regardless of whether tennis is in her future, Kris said she realized that ultimately family was the most important part of her life.
"Kansas is a great program, and I'm really looking forward to the season," Kris said. "I've never thought very far ahead, but I've always dreamed of playing in the U.S. Open."
"They are the most supportive family out there," she said. "They want only what's best for me, and they are always there for me. I could quit right now, and my parents wouldn't care as long as that's what I truly wanted."
Right now, though, the only thing she wants is the chance to be a major contributor for Kansas.
If she does, it will be very easy to pick out her five biggest fans.
Williams decides to redshirt
Rv Matt Irwin
Kansan sportswriter
When Travis Williams needed guidance, he called Roy Williams. It was time to make the decision about whether he should redshirt and sit out another basketball season or play.
Roy Williams, Travis' father, and Travis' mother, Kathy, told Travis to do what the other Roy Williams thought was best.
"I talked to my parents, and they said to do what ever coach thought would be good for me," Travis Williams said. "Coach Williams has never stood me wrong."
The Kansas men's basketball coach thought it would be more beneficial for the sophomore center to sit out this season. The two made the decision Wednesday, and after thinking about it for two days, they announced it to the media.
One of the reasons for the red shirt is that Roy Williams didn't expect Travis Williams to play much. Juniors Scot Pollard and B.J. Williams, sophomore Raef LaFrentz and freshman T.J. Pugh all would play before him, Roy Williams said
AP Preseason Top 25 rank team rec pts. pr
1. Kentucky (34) 28-5 1,550 2
2. Kansas (24) 28-6 1,548 5
3. Villanova (2) 25-3 1,369 9
4. UCLA (4) 21-9 1,316 1
5. Georgetown 21-10 1,228 22
6. Connecticut 28-5 1,204 8
7. Massachusetts 28-5 1,063 7
8. Iowa 21-12 874 18
9. Mississippi St. 22-6 874 18
10. Utah 28-6 833 19
11. Wake Forest 26-6 809 3
12. Louisville 19-14 803 —
13. Memphis 24-10 775 —
14. Miaourl 20-9 733 23
15. Maryland 28-8 723 10
16. Arkansas 32-7 629 6
17. Michigan 17-14 613 —
18. Stanford 20-9 603 —
19. Virginia 25-9 158 13
20. N. Carolina 28-6 438 4
21. Cincinnati 22-12 409 —
22. Va. Tech 25-10 287 —
23. Indiana 19-12 272 —
24. Purdue 25-7 256 12
25. California 13-14 200 —
Others receiving votes: Oldhamia 169, Arizona 136, Washington St. 86, Duke 56, George Tech 49, Tulane 43, Santa Clara 33, Syracuse 81, Ilinclear 27, George 21, W Kentucky 17, Mississippi 18, New Mexico 18, Temple 15, Marquette 12, Miami, Ohio 12, LSU 11, Wisconsin 10, St. John's 9, Arizona St. 8, Texas Tech 7, Tulsa 7, Fresno 8, St. Utah 8, Old Dominion 5, Nebraska 4, Rice 4, Penn St. 3, Texas 3, Xavier, Ohio 3, Colgate 2, Minnesota 0, UO. 2, Oklahoma St. 2, Pittsburgh 2, Bradley 1, Clemson 1, George Washington 1, Hawaii 1, Manhattan 1, SW Missouri St. 1, South Carolina 1, South Florida 1.
"Once we got
KANSAN
into the season and saw how he was playing, it was really a pretty easy decision," Roy Williams said. "He's a 19-year-old right now. He's going to play when he's 20 and 21. So the decision is — is he going to be better when he's a 19-year-old, or is he going to be better when he's a 22-year-old?"
When Travis Williams is a senior, all of this season's post players but Pugh likely will be gone, and with improved skills, he probably will have a better chance of playing.
"He just needs to play," Roy Williams said. "He needs to be involved in five-on-five situations with bigger people. If he gets that time on the court and repetitions, it's going to make him better."
Coming from Rozel, a small Kansas town of 191 people, Travis Williams rarely saw anyone close to his height. He averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds and five
See REDSHIRT,Page 3.
Nebraska continues to impress both opponents and fans
Bv Robert Sinclair
Kansan sportswriter
When a football team doesn't play its best game and still comes away with an impressive 41-3 victory as No.1 Nebraska did against No.15 Kansas, it is the sign of a talented team.
"I think at the half, it was anybodys game," Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne said. "It's hard to be an emotional team each week. This was an emotional game. I think both Colorado and Kansas gave it their best, shot against us."
When a team is No. 1 in the country and trying for its second consecutive national championship, opposing teams seem to save their best games for that team.
In fact, the Jayhawks appeared to outplay the Cornhuskers on both sides of the ball in the first half.
Perhaps that is an understatement as far as the top-ranked Cornhuskers are concerned.
Nevertheless, Nebraska took a 14-3 lead into the intermission and went on to win by 28 points. The reasons for its success are many.
When asked about the convincing win in spite of coming out flat, Nebraska junior I-back Damon Benning shrugged his shoulders and said, "We're dangerous."
23 consecutive games overall and 22 consecutive conference games is dangerous.
When looking for the biggest secret to Nebraska's success, one need look no further than the backfield. Not only has Nebraska led the nation in rushing four of the last five years, but also it is led by a quarterback with a 31-3 record as a starter.
Against Kansas, Nebraska senior quarterback Tommie Frazier had 185 total yards and three touchdowns, bringing his season totals to 569 yards rushing, 1,234 yards passing and 30 touchdowns.
It is probably safe to say that any team that wins 35 consecutive regular season games,
"He is Nebraska." Kansas senior linebacker Dick Holt said. "All the things they do center around him. He deserves the Heisman Trophy if anyone does.
"If they continue to win, go undefeated and win the national championship and he continues to play the way he's playing now, he's a shoo-in."
"With a team like Nebraska and a guy that runs like that, their offense is real productive," Kansas junior defensive tackle Kevin Kopp said. "He's a tough runner, too. He hard to bring down. I think on that second touchdown he set up, he broke four or five tackles just running guys over."
Kathleen Driscoll / KANSAN
Frazier, who is listed at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, is both an elusive and powerful runner.
Nebraska senior quarterback Tommie Frazier and the rest of the No. 1 Connushers appear to be looking towards a Flesta Bowl bid and a second consecutive national championship
"When you think of Nebraska, you think great running teams," Kopp said. "But you can't overlook their fans. I think that's a big part of their tradition."
Frazier also broke two tackles on his way into the end zone on his second touchdown.
In addition to Frazier and the Cornhuskers' ground game, there is another aspect of the Nebraska mystique.
Nebraska fans love their Cornhuskus, often traveling in large caravans to away games. It isn't just games in nearby states such as Kansas, either.
All of this hasn't gone unnoticed by the players.
"It doesn't seem like we've had a road game in a couple of years," Benning said. "It started at the Orange Bowl a couple of years ago."
Memorial Stadium, as well as Lawrence in general, was under siege this weekend by red-clad Nebraska fans — who more often than not made their presence felt.
that not made them present reel.
"It's a turnover, and everyone's yelling. You're wondering what's going on," Kopp said. "It'll all the Nebraska fans yellning. It's tough, especially when you're at home because everyone's yelling for them. You look up, and it's red everywhere."
"They're the best team that we've faced by far," Kopp said. "Great team, great players, great quarterback and a great coach: They have probably the best of everything."
The Jayhawks turned the ball over five times. All five resulted in Cornhusker touchdowns.
Holt agreed with his defensive teammate
and went on to evaluate them on a national level.
"Nebraska, Ohio State and Florida: You can pick any one of them as No. 1," Holt said.
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