RCW: Faces in the Crowd 4.27
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.
ANDIE FORMBY
Redshirt Junior | Orange, California
Full Bio
Pitcher Andie Formby took her place in the circle three times last week and each outing led to the same result – a complete-game victory without an earned run. Formby started three games for the Jayhawks and pitched 21 innings. She posted three wins and earned two shutout victories. She did surrender three runs, but all were unearned, as she struck out 17, walked three and allowed 22 base hits against Northern Colorado (March 15), Saint Louis (March 17) and UMKC (March 18).
NINA KHMELNITCKAIA
Junior | Moscow, Russia
Full Bio
The No. 17-ranked Jayhawks came up just short of No. 12 Texas last Friday at the Jayhawk Tennis Center at Rock Chalk Park, as junior Nina Khmelnitckaia almost single-handedly put KU in position to win. Teaming with Anastasia Rychagova and playing No. 1 doubles, the No. 25 nationally ranked duo made quick work of the No. 44-ranked pair from Texas to help KU claim the doubles point. On the singles court, at the No. 4 position, Khmelnitckaia trailed during the first set 3-1, but scored five-straight points to win the set and rally against her opponent. In the second set, down 5-1, Khmelnitckaia once again won five-straight games to take a 6-5 lead, which she later won with a 7-4 tiebreaker.
UDOKA AZUBUIKE
Sophomore | Delta, Nigeria
Full Bio
Sophomore Udoka Azubuike was dubbed the Jayhawks’ “most valuable player” by Hall of Fame head coach Bill Self after Saturday’s 83-79 victory over Seton Hall in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He only logged three minutes of action against Penn in the first-round matchup after missing all three games in KU’s run for the 2018 Big 12 Championship title. Despite limited action, Azubuike game up big against the Pirates with 10 points and seven rebounds in only 22 minutes of play.
MALIK NEWMAN
Redshirt Sophomore | Jackson, Mississippi
Full Bio
In the two NCAA Tournament victories, redshirt sophomore Malik Newman paced the Jayhawks with 19 points per contest. Newman tossed in 10 points in the tournament opener for the Jayhawks against Penn, but poured in a game-high 28 points in the win over Seton Hall. Newman shot 13-for-26 (.500) from the field over the two contests, including 4-for-10 (.400) on threes. He also added nine rebounds, four assists and a steal.
