It is no secret that the football team has been a disaster, so instead of wallowing in sadness about them for another day let's take a look at a pair of teams who have been playing very well and doing a great job of representing Kansas.
Soccer
The soccer team made the NCAA tournament last season, losing in the first round to Georgia, and have picked up where they left off this year. They have lost just twice on the season, and recently had a six game unbeaten streak that was started by them avenging their Georgia loss. They are 1-2 in Big 12 play this year, beating then #7 Oklahoma State, which helped them creep into the Top 25 poll, currently ranking 23rd. It is the first time they are ranked since 2009. The Jayhawks have gotten it done defensively this year, allowing just 1 goal per game, which currently ranks third in the league.
Though as a team they are closer to the middle of the pack offensively, Caroline Kastor has proven to be one of the best players in the conference. The Junior from Wichita ranks first in the league in both goals and points per game, and earlier this year was honored with the Big 12 player of the week award. Women's college soccer tends to have a bit of an ACC and West Coast bias, but Kastor should be in contention for the Hermann Trophy, given to the best male and female college soccer players.
Kansas travels to Baylor and TCU this weekend in their first away games of the season.
Volleyball
The volleyball team finished 8th in the Big 12 last year (out of 9 teams) so their success has been much more of a surprise. The Jayhawks currently sit in a tie for first in the league at 2-0, just polishing off a 5 set upset over Iowa State on Thursday night. They've been one of the best teams in the league overall as well, currently sitting at 14-2, with their lone losses coming in the finals of the Arkansas Invitational and the Notre Dame Invitational.
Kansas has been very impressive on both sides of the net, ranking first in the league in both assists and kills (aka spikes) and also first in digs and second in blocks. Individually their star is Caroline Jarmoc, who leads the Big 12 in hitting percentage and ranks second in kills. Junior Brianne Riley leads the league in digs.
Kansas is the third receiving votes team in this week's top 25, and with Oklahoma the first team out, and three Big 12 teams (Texas, K State and Iowa State) ranked in the top 25, the Jayhawks have some matches left against highly regarded teams as they seek their fourth NCAA tournament appearance