Four volleyball players, four seniors, four different paths to the University of Kansas, but they share a common goal. That goal is to finish their Jayhawk careers with an appearance at the NCAA tournament.
Over the years, Jennifer Kraft, Jamie Morningstar, Molly Scavuzzo and Kylie Thomas have all witnessed the continued improvement of the Kansas volleyball program under coach Ray Bechard. While the team has had an outstanding 2002 campaign up to this point with a 16-5 record (6-5 in the Big 12 Conference) and the brilliant play of some of the squad’s younger players, the seniors have had a dominant role, not necessarily in playing but in leadership.
“It’s just interesting that some of them have a significant role and some don’t, but they all four work extremely hard,” Bechard said. “That’s a very difficult thing to find when as a senior they all want to have a very dominant playing role. They all don’t have that, but they all bring great energy and great enthusiasm.”
Kraft, libero from Saratoga, Cali., saw the landmark moment of her Kansas volleyball career Saturday in the team’s 3-2 win in Norman, Okla., over the University of Oklahoma. Kraft had five service aces in the game, giving her 139 for her career. The record of 134 by Julie Woodruff had stood since 1991.
“I just think it’s just gonna be cool to know that I left my mark somewhere here,” Kraft said. “I have a lot of family here in Lawrence so it’s cool for them to be here, and have that and maybe bring their kids to come see it and hopefully it’ll stay there for a while so when I have kids it can be there too.”
Lawrence is a long way from Northern California, but Kraft saw opportunity as a Jayhawk. After leading Saint Francis High School to state championships in 1997 and 1998, Kraft had to work her way back to the top under Bechard.
“When I first got here my role was just to play defense and that’s it,” Kraft said. “As the years have gone by I’ve taken more of a leadership role and a lead by example role.”
Kraft may have had to travel halfway across the country to go to school, but Morningstar, Lawrence libero, just had to drive down the street.
Kansas athletics run through Morningstar’s blood. Her father, Roger Morningstar, played basketball at Kansas from 1974-1975. Jamie Morningstar led the Free State Firebirds to the 6A state volleyball tournament and was named to the all-tournament team. However, in deciding where to play in college, she considered more than just volleyball.
“I wanted to play at a Division-I school. The reason I also stayed here was because I wanted to see my little sister and brother grow up, and I wanted to be able to watch them play in high school,” Morningstar said. “I have been able to be close to my family and I’ve gotten to play within the Big 12 Conference, which is one of the strongest conferences in the nation.”
Morningstar has flourished as a defensive specialist over the years, playing in all 31 of the team’s matches last season, including three starts. She recorded 173 digs over the course of the year and was named to the first team Academic All-Big 12.
Thomas, middle back from Sutherland, Neb., said she had never regretted her decision to come to Lawrence. She has given everything and more to make this program better.
“I really liked the atmosphere and to play Division-I volleyball was my goal,” Thomas said. “This was a great opportunity and I really like the school and program and I love the girls here, so I’m really glad I made the decision.”
In high school, Thomas was first team Division I all-state as well as second-team Super State her senior year.
Last season, Thomas set career highs in both digs (39) and kills (247), including a career-high 17 kills against Baylor last October. She topped off the season by being named first team Academic All-Big 12. Thomas can attribute her success on the court to what she does off of it.
“I just come in and try to work my hardest,” Thomas said. “Intensity. I always come in and work hard at practice and weights every day.”
Scavuzzo, an outside hitter from Overland Park, is different from the other seniors because she has not been with the program for four years.
Scavuzzo defected from the area to play at the University of Wyoming. After a redshirt year in Laramie, Wyo., she had a successful freshman campaign with 99 kills and 28 assists, but something drew her back to Kansas.
“It’s close to home and a stable coaching staff,” Scavuzzo said, “and one thing that I wasn’t even looking at while I was at Wyoming was the NCAA tournament, which we have an awesome shot at this year.”
One coach in particular that has helped Scavuzzo at KU is assistant Christi Posey, who was her head coach at Blue Valley Northwest. Scavuzzo was named All-Johnson County, All-Sun Country, and All-Eastern Kansas League.
After seeing limited time on the floor in her first year at KU, Scavuzzo burst onto the scene last season, finishing second on the team with 325 kills, including 10 or more kills in 17 different matches.
Even with the success this season, Scavuzzo said the entire team was still working toward the goal of hearing its name tabbed for the NCAA tournament.
For the quartet of seniors, the rest of this season’s schedule will most likely mark the final time they play competitive volleyball. It may be hard to swallow after having devoted so much time to the game over the course of their lives, but there is one ending to this year that would make the last stand more comforting.
“Our goal for the end of the season is to be chosen on the selection show for the NCAA tournament on Dec. 1; that’s our realistic goal,” Morningstar said. “My expectations for our team is that if we play the way we know we can, we have a chance to do that.”
