The RoundHouse | 9/17/2018 5:36:00 PM

Shocker volleyball opens its Koch Arena schedule and American Athletic Conference play on Friday vs. Tulane (7 p.m.).
 
Wichita State (5-6) is home after a challenging schedule that included losses to No. 1 BYU, No. 2 Stanford, No. 10 Creighton, No. 14 Cal Poly, Iowa State and 13-2 Stephen F. Austin. Not a bad loss among them, but losses nonetheless.
 
That brings the Shockers to Koch Arena needing to think only about winning the American's automatic bid over the next 18 matches. Tulane (12-3) has won six straight, including Saturday's 3-2 win over Clemson. On Sunday, Memphis (7-5) visits Koch Arena. The Tigers are winners of five straight.
 
Junior Fatima Bizhukova starts the tennis season ranked No. 36 nationally in singles, the highest spot by a Shocker since 2009-10. Her reward for last season's success and this fall's ranking is a spot in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Oracle Masters starting Thursday in Malibu, Calif.
 
The 32-person draw features returning conference players of the year and others ranked at the Malibu Racquet Club.

"The fall season . . . is a chance to get these opportunities at significant wins that can matter when it comes time for NCAA singles and doubles selections and more opportunities at tournaments like these down the road," Wichita State coach Colin Foster said.
 
Bizhukova peaked at No. 55 last season on her way to All-American Athletic Conference honors and a spot in the NCAA Individual Championships. She played several tournaments in Korea over the summer and Foster is pleased with her progress. 
 
"She's really self-aware and knows where she needs to improve," Foster said. "Her serve is something, we talked about it last year, that helped her take that next step. She's continuing to serve well and to work on it."
 
Wichita State softball opens its fall schedule vs. Avila (1 p.m. Saturday) and Crowder College (1 p.m. Sunday) at Wilkins Stadium.
 
The Shockers, coming off an NCAA regional appearance last spring, are set at No. 1 pitcher with senior lefty Bailey Lange. Coaches will use the fall scrimmages – including dates with Oklahoma State and Kansas – to prepare the rest of the rotation and bullpen.
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.