WICHITA, Kan. - Behind a career-high in kills and digs from freshman Megan Taflinger, Wichita State opened up American Athletic Conference play with a 3-2 win over Tulane at Charles Koch Arena on Friday night.

Taflinger recorded her first double-double of the season, coming up with 17 kills and 13 digs. Senior Kali Eaken led the Shockers with 29 assists while sophomore Giorgia Civita came up with 27 digs.

The Shockers jumped out to an early lead in the first set thanks to a 4-0 scoring run, with two kills from Taflinger that gave Wichita State a 12-7 advantage. Two consecutive blocks and a kill from Eaken gave the Shockers another five-point edge and two straight kills from sophomore Emma Wright made it a 21-14 set lead.  

Wichita State forced Tulane to a .158 attacking percentage in set one, resulting in a 25-18 victory.  

Tulane responded by scoring the first four points of set two, increasing their lead to as many as eight points. Holding Wichita State to under .100, the Green Wave tied the match 1-1 with a 25-17 win in set two.

Taflinger helped her team respond in set three, coming up with two straight kills that gave the Shockers an early 9-6 lead. A block from Wright pushed Wichita State out in front 18-9  following that up with three straight points to take a commanding 12-point advantage.

Forcing Tulane to a .049 attacking percentage, the Shockers were able to take a 2-1 match lead with a 25-17 win in set three.

The Green Wave jumped out to an early 10-6 lead in set four, increasing their lead out to eight with two straight kills. Tulane held on despite a Shocker comeback, forcing a fifth set thanks to a 25-19 win in set four.

Trailing by four early in the fifth set, the Shockers rallied from behind to take an 8-7 lead. A kill from Tafflinger and a service ace from Eaken allowed Wichita State to go up by two, with senior Tabitha Brown capping off the rally with a 15-12 victory in the final set.

Wichita State (6-6, 1-0) continues conference play on Sunday with Memphis starting at 1 p.m at Charles Koch Arena.