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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 12, 1996)
n r team on the rise The sophomohe striker helps lead NtTs leap to No. 12 ranking. By Vince PAdamo Staff Reporter Sophomore striker Kristen Gay has been a vital cog in the Nebraska soc cer team’s rise to a No. 12 ranking in the latest USA Today/Coaches Poll. The Comhuskers biggest victory was a 3-1 win over sixth-ranked Duke Sunday in Raleigh, N.C. Gay scored eight goals in 18 games last season. She has already scored four in 3-0 Nebraska’s first three games this season. Known as Cricket by her by team mates and coaches, Gay has improved her quickness to compliment her in stincts and intelligence, NU Coach John Walker said. “She’s done really well,” Walker said. “She’s more experienced and very skilled. Also, she’s very versatile be cause we can play her as a striker and as a midfielder.” Walker has raved about his team this season, saying the Huskers can play as many as, 15 players without a drop off in talent. - Being surrounded by quality play ers helps Gay perform at a high level, she said. “It’s a team thing, not just me indi vidually,” Gay said. “It’s been mostly my team that’s been helping me out.” Walker agreed. “It helps a lot, because if you’ve only got a couple good players, you’re going to struggle,” Walker said. Gay, a 5-6 sophomore from Gar land, Texas, is no stranger to winning. She served as a co-captain of the Dal lar Stffig, one of the nation’s top club programs. In 1994, Gay helped the Sting un Matthew Waite/DN CO-CAPTAIN Kristen Gay has scored four goals in the Nebraska soccer team's three wins this season. Nebraska's 3-1 win over Duke propelled the Huskers to a No. 12-rating in the latest poll. 1 der-17 team to the state and Region in championships and a fourth place fin ish at nationals. In 1989 and 1990, Gay helped the undo*-14 team win consecu tive state and Region ni titles. “I just want to come out and lead by my actions,” Gay said. “It helps a lot having the great piayers. It makes you play better and compete harder. As a team, we wanted to get up in the top 20.” Gay said the Huskers intend to stay among the nation’s elite. “We just have to compete with the intensity we do every practice, and everything we do in practice carries over to the games,” Gay keep that high intensity we shoulaod OK.” NU volleyball team s 5-1 start satisfies Pettit, Husker players PETIT from page 9 wouldn’t be competitive in,” he said. “If we continue, we are going to be a very good volleyball team. And very good volleyball teams compete for na tional championships.” The fourth-ranked Comhuskers (5 1) return to the roadthis weekend, trav eling to North Carolina to play the Tar Heels on Friday and Duke Saturday. “It’s a great start,” the 20th-year coach said. “We are right where we want to be.” NU has been solid on defense. The Huskers average 19 digs per game and 3.7 blocks per game. Nebraska has 27 solo blocks^-nine by Megan Korver and eight by Tonia Thuke—compared to only 10 by its opponents. Ami while the Huskers are hitting just .224, they have held opponents to a percentage of. 162. Maria Hedbeck, one of two seniors on the team, has been a major reason the shining defense, Pettit said. Hedbeck has shown initiative in sharing information on the court, he said, and she has spent time teaching defensive techniques to the younger players. Despite returning only two starters from last year’s team, sophomore Jaime Krondak said the Huskers are playing much better now than they were at the start of the season. “I think we are farther along,” Krondak said. “I didn’t think passing* and defense would go so well at the beginning, but it has. The offense will take care of itself in the next couple of weeks.” Things aren’t entirely bad offen sively, however. Nebraska is averaging 16.8 kills per game and the Huskers have commit ted 41 fewer hitting errors than their opponents. v il1* The mistakes Of NU’s opponents have played crucial roles in several 1.- ■ ■■ - . Husker wins. In game five against Brigham Young, the Cougars made six errors leading to Nebraska points. In Friday night’s match against Michigan State, the Spartans committed nine errors in the deciding fifth game. In the rematch Saturday, Michigan State committed^ hitting errors and 13 service errors in only three games. At this point in the season, Pettit said, he is pleasantly surprised with the Huskers’ record. But nothing is com ing easy this year, unlike a year ego, when Nebraska swept 22 of its first 23 opponents. “We haven’t played a match yet that the other team wasn’t a good team and couldn't have won.”jr ± • Lounge • Restaurant • Bait & Tackle • Horse Rentals • 6leigh Rides • Convenience froto Hwy 77. Phone:794-5200. Lincoln The Wonder Bar Welcome Back Students Thursdays, Fridays S Saturdays, 10 to Midnight 1621 ’O' Street i T1C0 S FOODS OF MEXICO % _CLOSE JO CAMPUS_AT HTH _S_M_STBEETS„ &eanine>’s< /i “ ~ Receive a °rl FREE APPETIZER I a foods of Mexico © w® 0»W»tf»seof orcenows | * Valid in Dining Room and Carry Out. Not valid with any other offer. i flease mention coupon when ordering. Coupon expires 9/30/96. 1 ————————————•-—-——_—__i Join us from 4-7p.m. Monday through Friday for great Happy Hour Specials and Free hors d'oeuvres. For Reservations and Carry Out Orders call 475-1048. Restaurant Hours : Sun. - Thu. 11:00-10:30; Fri. - Sat. 11:00 -11:30. New Players I Needed Practices Tuesday @ j Harper, Smith j Fields ' GAME 7:30 this Friday: Us vs. SDSU @ Mable Fields For more information, call Justin at 438-8762 Lincoln General Hospital Auxiliary presents! LeAnn THE TRIBUTE RIMES “No. 1 One of Beatles Country Music’s Show in Fastest Rising the Woitd"Teenage Stars Friday, September 20,1996 Ued Center for Performing Arts To order by phone C01472-4747 or 1-800432-3231; FAX: (402) 472-4730 Don't miss this award-winning stage . - production that continues to Jm? thrill audiences around .. the world. Dance, mime, music jpF and technical effects combine to W recount an epic tale of good, evil and the fight for mankind. Experience the drama, experience the triumph, jjg||. ‘ experience The Masterpiece, an event for the entire family. 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