RCW: Faces in the Crowd 4.23
Each week in Rock Chalk Weekly, the top Kansas Jayhawk performances are recognized as Faces in the Crowd. Get to know last week’s stars, including information on their latest accomplishments and a link to their full bio.
HARLI RIDLING
Senior | Sentinel, Oklahoma
Full Bio
Senior catcher Harli Ridling started all five games for the Jayhawks at the UTSA Softball Tournament in San Antonio, Texas. Ridling batted .600 (9-for-15) on the weekend, as KU posted a 4-1 record at the event and improved to 8-2 on the season. Ridling also added five RBIs and five runs scored with a pair of doubles and a home run. As a result, Ridling currently leads the team in batting for the season with a .429 average. Behind the plate over the weekend, the four-year starter also caught three runners stealing base.
ANASTASIA RYCHAGOVA
Junior | Moscow, Russia
Full Bio
Junior Anastasia Rychagova, ranked No. 2 nationally in singles, helped Kansas extend its match-winning streak to four, as the Jayhawks posted wins over No. T24 Oregon (Friday) and William & Mary (Sunday). Rychagova was 2-0 in singles on the weekend, and also went unbeaten in doubles as she was paired with junior Nina Khmelnitckaia. Against Oregon, the Jayhawk duo claimed a 6-1 victory over the No. 10 doubles team in the nation. Rychagova followed with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-0 singles win. Versus William & Mary, the KU doubles team won 6-1, before Rychagova rolled past No. 68-ranked Rosie Cheng, 6-0, 6-3.
UDOKA AZUBUIKE
Sophomore | Delta, Nigeria
Full Bio
The sophomore big man came up big for the Jayhawks in a pair of victories last week. Udoka Azubuike averaged 20 points and four rebounds over the two games, while shooting 88.9 percent (16-for-18) from the field. He also added an 8-for-11 effort from the free throw line (.727). Azubuike blocked six shots and grabbed two steals as well. The center dominated during the second-half comeback in Saturday’s victory over No. 20 West Virginia, 77-69, as 15 of his 21 points came in the final 20 minutes.
ZACK LEBAN
Junior | Bellevue, Washington
Full Bio
Junior pitcher Zack Leban embraced his new closer role with open arms during Kansas’ opening-weekend series against Murray State. In the two Jayhawk victories, Leban came on in relief to earn a pair of saves. The righthander logged 2.2 innings of work, while striking out three batters and not allowing a base on balls. He did surrender a pair of hits, but the Racers never crossed the plate. Both saves were the first of his career.
