Box Score

WICHITA, Kan.— No. 20 Wichita State used a strong defensive front and nearly 50 kills to sweep the Indiana State to open Missouri Valley Conference play Friday night, 25-21, 25-15, 25-21.

Great defense and a string of kills put the Shockers (10-1) up big early in the first set, 12-4. Midway through the match WSU had 11 combined blocks—solo blocks and block assists—in the books en route to taking control of the match.

Senior outside hitter Emily Stockman was in usual form, picking up back-to-back kills to continue building the Shocks' lead, 18-10. Unwilling to let up, the Sycamores fought back with four-straight points, but the Shockers clamped down with kills from junior Amanda Backes and Stockman to win the set, 25-21.

Stockman again rallied the offense when two consecutive kills opened the gap, 15-9, after the Sycamores kept the first half of the set tight. WSU ran away from that point taking the second set, 25-15.

The teams traded points for nearly all of the final set until a timely kill by senior middle Stephanie Tokarz and a Stockman block provided a little space, 20-16. Although Indiana State would make another charge, the Sycamores could not hold off the Shockers. A pair of late kills from senior middle Katie Niggemeyer ended the set, 25-21, and completed the sweep.

Stockman led the offensive attack with 15 kills and showed her defensive prowess with three solo blocks. Junior middle Sarah McGee and Niggemeyer each added eight kills apiece to keep the scoring production running smoothly.

The Shockers are in action at Charles Koch arena again on Saturday night when they take on the Illinois State Redbirds at 7 p.m.

-Wichita State-