Friday, March 9, 2007
After the Kansas tennis team’s sluggish 2-8 start, coach Amy Hall-Holt said last weekend’s victory against Iowa State might be the spark the team needs to turn its season around.
The motivated Jayhawks traveled to Ames, Iowa, last Saturday and thumped the Cyclones 6-1. The team’s first conference win of the season improved its record to 3-8, and was the 28th consecutive victory against Iowa State.
“Mentally and physically, they were up for that match,” Hall-Holt said. “We talked a lot last week and talked about their needs and what we can do to get back on track. Our goal is staying on track, taking the Iowa State match and moving forward.”
The team has a chance to win consecutive dual matches for the first time this season with back-to-back contests against Nebraska and Louisville this weekend. The Jayhawks face a Nebraska team on Saturday that is responsible for last season’s 4-3 loss.
“It’s going to be a very competitive match,” Hall-Holt said. “Nebraska always comes out with their high-intensity game when they play us.”
Nebraska is 6-4 on the year, but searching for its first road win. The Cornhuskers feature one of the few line-ups that can rival the Jayhawks’ youth. Nebraska has two freshmen, three sophomores, and two juniors on the roster. The 57th ranked singles player in the nation, junior Imke Reimers, has been the catalyst for the Cornhuskers. Reimers will be slotted against junior Elizaveta Avdeeva in the No. 1 singles match. Avdeeva snapped a four-match losing streak last weekend against Iowa State to improve her singles record to 4-7. An Avdeeva victory against Reimers could provide the lift the Jayhawks need to beat the Cornhuskers.
If the Jayhawks fail to beat the Cornhuskers, they will not have to wait long to get back on the court. The Jayhawks take on Louisville this Sunday. Louisville has a 4-10 record, but beat Cincinnati last weekend end a five-match losing streak. Hall-Holt said her team finally rounded into form after a tough opening month that featured a rash of injuries, illness and seven losses against nationally ranked teams.
“We need to concentrate on staying focused with every point and playing smart tennis. The girls know how it felt to get that big win over Iowa State. They’re wanting to feel that again with another win.”
Two victories this weekend would do wonders for the team’s confidence and help springboard the team into the heart of the conference season. A winless weekend would sting because the Jayhawks have to wait 19 days before taking the court against No. 5 Baylor.
Kansan sportswriter Rustin Dodd can be contacted at rdodd@kansan.com.
— Edited by Trevan McGee
Tennis players endure victory, defeat
The Jayhawks have been plagued by injuries, but the victory on Saturday ...
Senior day ends in Jayhawk sweep of ...
Team opens up the Big 12 Championship against Iowa State, Thursday at ...
Texas troubles continue for tennis team
The team will face The Huskers in Lawrence on Friday.
Tiebreakers decide matches
Tennis team hopes to end losing streak
All season long, injuries have plagued top Kansas tennis players. The Jayhawks ...
Deja vu for Jayhawks as they blow ...
However, they lost to Colorado for the second consecutive time this year.
Tennis duo selected to California tourney
The doubles team of Elizaveta Avdeeva and Edina Horvath will try to ...
Kansas tennis shuts out UMKC, sets eyes ...
The team travels east, seeking Wildcat and Colonel dominance.
Women to open with tough competition
The team travels to the Cissie Leary Tournament in Philadelphia this weekend. ...
Kansas tennis team to play Oklahoma and ...
Kansas faces Oklahomas this weekend and prepares for the Big 12 Tournament.
Tennis team on its way to Texas
Hawks hope to give Iowa State a dose of déjà vu.
Team record doesn't reflect doubles success
Injury and illness have left the tennis team with a 2-7 record, ...
Tennis readies for tough matches
Head coach Amy Hall-Holt encourages players to stay focused and determined as ...
Tennis team extends winless streak to five
The tennis team lost to Kansas State 5-2. The loss puts the ...
Tennis team is ready for non-conference teams ...
The women take on UTEP and Illinois State hoping to come out ...
Tennis hits the road for the away ...
The Jayhawks hope to add more wins to their 5-0 season.
Senior players lead by example
Returning seniors show their younger teammates what it takes to win.
Jayhawks to play against No. 61 BYU, ...
Weekend serves as the tennis team’s tune-up for Big 12 play.
Horvath leads win against St. Louis
Junior Edina Horvath won both her singles and doubles matches yesterday.
Jayhawk tennis travels to Las Vegas
The Jayhawks confidence will be skyhigh if they return Monday with three ...
Jayhawks fall in two matches
Women’s tennis coach is pleased with the performances, but says the team ...
Jayhawks continue best winning streak in 20 ...
The women’s tennis team remains undefeated in dual matches
Tennis falls short of reaching goals
Jayhawks aim to beat Missouri in Big 12 tournament.
Tennis ends season at Big 12 Championships
The Kansas tennis team finished its season at the Big 12 Championships ...
Tennis kicks off spring season at home
This weekend will be a good time for freshmen to get used ...
Tennis team plagued with adversity
After a 14-11 record a year ago, this season has been set ...
Tennis team drops last matches of season
Hawks lose to Texas and Texas A&M, but fans honor seniors Svistun ...
Tennis team sweeps New Mexico in doubles
The strong doubles pair of Avdeeva and Horvath improved dual match and ...
Tennis team loses Border Showdown
Defeating Missouri was one of team’s main goals this season.
Tennis team to play No. 4 Baylor
Martinez needs to continue exceptional singles, doubles play for team to be ...
Tennis faces weekend of ranked opponents
Coach says competition will help team get ready for the Big 12 ...
Tennis team takes on Kansas State
The Jayhawks prepare to play the Wildcats in Manhattan.
Season turned into a roller coaster ride ...
With no seniors on the squad, Kansas looks to improve record next ...
Adeeva leaves tennis players frustrated
Adeeva and Horvath continue to lead team. Adeeva uses patience and a ...
Tennis team sweeps weekend matches
The tennis team beat the University of Texas El Paso and Illinois ...
Tennis team remains undefeated
The tennis team bested Drake and Montana in Des Moines, Iowa
Kansas to play Arkansas in tennis matchup
Women’s tennis hopes to continue their winning streak after a successful trip ...
Tennis team defeated by No. 13 Baylor, ...
Coach Hall-Holt says she’s proud of the team’s performance, regardless of its ...
Women’s tennis serves up a young roster
Tennis takes no opponent lightly
Coach Amy Hall-Holt says that despite the poor records of this weekend’s ...
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