Box Score

WICHITA, Kan. - A first set loss didn't deter the Shocks from picking up their second victory of the weekend as they bounced back with a vengeance to defeat the Creighton Bluejays on Halloween, 23-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-11.

The rivals played each other point-for-point to open the first set, no team taking more than a two-point lead. A pair of kills from Creighton's Alicia Runge and Jessica Houts gave Creighton the 17-13 lead, the largest of the evening.

The Shockers came roaring back. Kills from senior outside hitter Emily Stockman and junior middle Sarah McGee closed the gap before senior middle Katie Niggemeyer crushed a kill to tie the set, 20-20. The Shockers continued to battle but a Shocker error and a kill by Laurel Sanford ended the set in the Jays' favor, 25-23.

WSU fell behind 3-1 before scoring six straight to regain the early momentum in set number two. The Shockers ran with the set from that point on, forcing errors on Creighton's part while picking up clutch kills when needed. A pair of blocks by McGee put the Shocks out of reach with a 22-10 lead. Niggemeyer sealed the deal with a kill to even the match at a set apiece, 25-14.

The teams returned to first-set form in third set, trading points back-and-forth and refusing to let either team build a lead. Stockman stepped up with four kills while Niggemeyer and Amanda Backes each notched clutch kills to pull ahead, 19-16. Battling back, Creighton narrowed the gap 23-22, but senior outside hitter Kim Wadsworth clinched the set with a kill, 25-22.

Taking command of the set early, the Shockers jumped out to a 5-0, forcing a Creighton timeout. The break did had little effect on the Shockers, as they settled into a groove and rocketed to a 10-1 lead. WSU continued to force errors to keep Creighton at bay and consecutive kills for Stockman gave the Shockers the 19-5 advantage. A final Creighton error finished the match, 25-11.

Stockman and Niggemeyer paced the offense, combining for 28 of the Shockers' 50 kills. Niggemeyer hit .458 on Saturday while McGee chipped in eight kills. The Shocks defense stepped up as they held the Bluejays to just a .058 hitting percentage.

The Shockers are next in action on Fri., Nov. 6 at Southern Illinois.