Kansas Volleyball: Motivation for 2017

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 25: A member of the Kansas Jayhawks band performs against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Midwest Regional Final at Edward Jones Dome on March 25, 2012 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 25: A member of the Kansas Jayhawks band performs against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Midwest Regional Final at Edward Jones Dome on March 25, 2012 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The Kansas volleyball team is set to defend their Big 12 conference championship. The preseason poll out should provide some incentive.

Kansas basketball players know they provide excitement entertainment for fans. Where does the basketball team go for excitement? Many of the players attend the Kansas volleyball games. Tune in to any of the televised Kansas volleyball games and you will see members of the Kansas men’s basketball team. Coach Ray Bechard’s Jayhawks are one of the most exciting teams anywhere.

Bechard’s team is the defending Big 12 conference champions.  As a matter of fact, they deserve some respect. In my opinion, they didn’t get much in the poll out this week. After knocking off Texas last season, the Jayhawks are ranked behind them again.  On the other hand, Bechard may be thankful. The master motivator will use this to fire up his team.

The Kansas volleyball team did get three first-place votes in the poll.  That is an accomplishment too.  It is the most first place vote in program history. The 59 total points in the poll are three short of the Horns. I can almost feel the tension and excitement building. As you might expect, Coach Bechard issued a polite statement on the poll.

"“We are highly thought of in these rankings – that is a reflection of the careers our players have had to this point and the respect that other coaches have for them,”"

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I always pay attention to college football and basketball. Over the past three years, I also always find a way to get the latest details or watch the Kansas volleyball team too. If you don’t know about Kansas Volleyball, why not?  Bechard has three returning All-American seniors: Kelsie PayneAinise Havili and Madison Rigdon.  Kansas is now one of the nation’s best volleyball programs. I look forward to their season opener August 25 in Raleigh, North Carolina.