KU soccer prepares to defend Big 12 title

After losing seven seniors from its 2004 Big 12 Championship squad, the Kansas soccer team is looking for new faces to step into the lineup. The success of the 2005 KU season will depend on how the newcomers mix with the talented group of Jayhawks who return from last year’s championship team.

The six freshmen making their way to the Jayhawk Soccer Complex include two high school All-Americans in Julie Hanley and Jessica Bush. They will join Kristin Graves, Sara Rogers, Jenny Murtaugh and Missy Geha, the 2005 Gatorade Soccer Player of the Year for the state of Kansas.

Though the team is gaining a lot of youth, plenty of offensive punch remains, and it all starts with KU’s all-time leading scorer and one of the nation’s top scoring threats: senior Caroline Smith. In 2004, the Edina, Minn., native scored 11 goals paired with 10 assists to add to her program-leading 100 career points. A two-time All-American and All-Big 12 First Team selection, Smith will be essential in 2005.

The Caroline Smith File:

• Two-time All-American

• 2004 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America

• Two-time Academic All-Big 12 Selection

• Three-time All Central Region

• Two Time All-Big 12

• Two-Time Big 12 All-Tournament Team

• 2002 Freshman All-American

• 2002 Central Region All-Freshman Team

• 2002 All-Big 12 Newcomer Team

The Jayhawks are currently 2-1-1 on the young season. Conference play begins Sept. 23, when the Jayhawks travel to Baylor. The first conference home game is Sunday, Sept. 25, against Texas A&M. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

For more information on Jayhawk soccer visit www.kuathletics.com.

Kansas volleyball aims for third-straight NCAA Tournament bid

In 2005, the Jayhawk Volleyball team would like to achieve what no other KU volleyball team has ever done –advance to the NCAA Sweet 16. After consecutive NCAA second-round finishes, the KU upperclassman are ready to end their college careers with another program-best finish.

The Jayhawks are led by three-year starter and All-Big 12 First Team selection Josi Lima. The senior from Sao Paulo, Brazil, has led the Jayhawks since her freshman campaign and is expected to shatter many of the school records in her final season at KU.

“If Josi stays healthy, she is going to be one of the more prolific players we’ve ever had at Kansas,” coach Ray Bechard said. “Her health is the most important thing and I really feel that she is capable of having another All-Big 12-type season. There are few players that can impact a match from all six rotations like Josi can, especially at middle blocker. She is one of the most complete players in the Big 12—when you look at things like digs, service aces, attacking out of the back row, and of course, what she’s done in the front row.”

The Josi Lima File:

• Four-year starter and one of the most prolific players in school history

• 2005 preseason All-Big 12

• A candidate for All-America

• Three-time All-Big 12 honoree

• 2003 All-Region Selection

The Jayhawks started the season 4-1, and host their first Big 12 match Sept. 14 against Texas A&M. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

For more information on Jayhawk Volleyball visit www.kuathletics.com.