Monday, August 13, 2007
Volleyball season is a time for kills, digs, sets and spandex. They’re not the reasons I watch volleyball, but I am sure there are many males out there for whom this is the sole reason they even go to the matches.
The University of Kansas volleyball team recently started practices for its Aug. 24 opener in Eugene, Ore. The team is hoping to prove that it belongs in the NCAA tournament again, despite losing five seniors from last season.
Senior Emily Brown is the top returner coming into this year and is going to have to be the go-to girl for the team to improve on last season’s lackluster results and 10-19 record. Her numbers show she has been the most consistent player for the volleyball team of the past three years, but this year she has to take it to the next level to compensate for the personnel losses.
Brown has been a starter since she arrived on campus, but this season she has to assume the leadership role and be the key player in each match. She is also the most versatile player on the team, which in turn helps setter redshirt sophomore Katie Martincich be more effective.
Martincich broke the school record last year for assists by a freshman. She will have to avoid the sophomore slump and produce the same numbers for the team to even have a shot at post-season play.
After being selected the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year in 2006, senior transfer Natalie Uhart is going to make a big impact assuming she fully recovers from a knee injury. If she can stay healthy, she is going to be the biggest addition to the KU volleyball squad.
Junior Savannah Noyes was the biggest surprise for the team last year, in terms of performance. She learned her role, improved every single game, and became one of the top three hitters for the Jayhawks. This year she is going to have to step it up another notch and use her 6-foot-3-inch body to dominate the middle once again.
Sophomore middle blocker Brittany Williams is the most experienced player in her class and will have to improve her number of kills and blocks per game in order for the team to increase its number of wins.
With only four upperclassmen this year on the volleyball team the sophomores and freshmen are going to have to step up and find their rightful places on the team. Four players make up this year’s freshmen class, Melissa Manda, Melissa Townsend, Jenna Kaiser and Karina Garlington. They could see some significant playing time if they can show that they belong here in the first few matches of the year.
After a sub-par season last year, this year’s squad is going to improve on its record from last year and return to the NCAA tournament.
Do you dig it?
– Edited by Eric Jorgensen
Volleyball team set to start new season
Coach Ray Bechard says defining team roles is a goal during tournament ...
Bechard setting up to make history
The season looks bright for the team, with nine returning starters and ...
Sophomore setter playing up to potential
The sophomore volleyball player is closing in on Kansan records while splitting ...
Women look to improve offense in Texas
After an exciting victory in Missouri, the team hopes to even its ...
Freshmen featured on KU volleyball
Senior’s experience helps team improve
Katie Martincich helps lead KU’s volleyball team this season.
Volleyball notes: Oct. 29, 2007
Although Kansas lost to Missouri Saturday, the team compiled some impressive offensive ...
Senior’s volleyball career winds down
Emily Brown, a four-year starter, has lived volleyball for a long time, ...
Volleyball looks to shine with strong recruits
The return of four starters will also help the Jayhawks as they ...
Sunflower rivalry opens Big 12 Conference play
Fans can look forward to not only a Suflower Showdown, but a ...
Former volleyball star goes pro in France
Kansan volleyball player Emily Brown sets to play volleyball in France this ...
Volleyball to open Jayhawk Invitational
Kansas Volleyball will start the Jayhawk Invitational tournament against St. Peters today ...
Kansas sweeps Alumni
The Kansas Volleyball team faced alumni in the annual volleyball alumni match. ...
Kansas ready to run with conference's best
Kansan writers preview Big XII women's teams.
Volleyball upsets No. 21 Baylor, 3-1
Kansas defeats its first ranked opponent in two years.
Volleyball takes second in Oregon
After winning their first two games in the Oregon Invitational, Kansas lost ...
Volleyball team working for strong start
Volleyball coach Ray Bechard tries to jump ahead in the preseason.
Volleyball team hops across the pond for ...
The team finished its European tour with a 5-2 record.
Volleyball team is anxious to play matches
After three straight losing seasons, the team hopes to prove itself starting ...
Volleyball sweeps Texas Tech
The Kansas volleyball team earned its second conference victory Saturday in a ...
Senior volleyball player aims high for season
Health issues made her miss most of last season, but now she ...
Tough season provides offseason work
After watching several of the teams the Kansas Volleyball team lost to ...
Kansas celebrates first conference road victory
After years of losing to Missouri, Kansas volleyball took control, leading the ...
Senior player appreciates time at Kansas
Senior guard Marisha Brown reflects back on her career despite early concerns.
Freshmen face rough transition to Big 12 ...
Melissa Manda leads the team in digs per game, while Jenna Kaiser ...
Volleyball team wins third invitational this season
The KU women’s volleyball team hopes to continue its success as they ...
Volleyball enters Oklahoma game on winning streak
Coach Bechard said the team’s performance last week was reflected in individual ...
Mahoney wraps up KU volleyball career
Though senior middle blocker Caitlin Mahoney had to overcome serious injuries early ...
Uneven offense plagues Kansas volleyball
Freshman setter Nicole Tate has moved up the learning curve, but the ...
Kansas optimistic about next season
Kansas will lose four key seniors, but signed four recruits for next ...
Kansas’ rough road trip continues
The Kansas volleyball team cannot wait for its home match-up against MIssouri ...
Volleyball starts season with three in Omaha
Coach Ray Bechard said some freshman may notch their first starts this ...
Kansas takes on defending national champs
This summer the KU Athletics Department decided to adopt the official KU ...
Jayhawks earn sweep against Wildcats
Volleyball team improves position as end of season nears.
Women’s tennis serves up a young roster
Volleyball Notes: October 24, 2007
Notes from volleyball's last game by Rustin Dodd
Volleyball focuses on upcoming conference games
With the Big 12 hanging in limbo, Kansas volleyball takes each conference ...
Kansas to host Jayhawk Invitational
The Kansas volleyball team hopes to improve skills to win tournament.
Kansas volleyball hits the road to face ...
ESPN The Magazine names three Hawks as Academic All-District Third Team.
Volleyball team sees success, defeat over weekend
The Fall Break weekend was good and bad for the Kansas volleyball ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID