The RoundHouse | 9/24/2018 12:00:00 AM
Wichita State volleyball gave the 5-1 system a full tryout in Sunday's 3-0 win over Memphis and coach
Chris Lamb has a week to evaluate and practice before the Shockers start a three-match road swing. Wichita State (7-6, 2-0 American Athletic Conference) plays at Tulsa (9-4, 2-0) on Saturday (6 p.m.).
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Lamb went with senior
Kali Eaken in the one-setter system on Sunday instead of subbing in setters. It wasn't an easy decision and it's one that will require continued study.Â
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The two-setter approach wasn't providing Wichita State enough scoring, especially from its right-side attackers, so Lamb handed the ball to Eaken late in Friday's win over Tulane and again Sunday. Lamb, however, also said he needs better passing and defense from his defensive specialists to make the 5-1 its most effective.
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"In our 5-1, we're a little smaller," he said. "I think we're more athletic in the (5-1), we're faster. If we can get the kill percentage numbers up – (Sunday) was only 34 percent. This teams needs to be hanging out at 38 and on up. That's something to be concerned about. There's pros and cons to both systems."
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The Shockers recorded 40 kills on 119 swings, below Lamb's standard. They hit .210 to improve on Friday's .152. The absence of middle
Emma Wright contributed to the utility of the 5-1 and robbed the Shockers of one of their top scoring threats.
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"I think it's a lot better for the setter to not having to come from the back row and move all over the place," outside hitter
Tabitha Brown said. "Especially on the tight digs that we get pretty often, and the tight passes."
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After both weekend wins, Lamb talked about late nights watching video and planning. The Shockers opened American play against teams picked No. 10 (Tulane) and No. 12 (Memphis) in the conference.Â
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In theory, they are done with the easiest part of the schedule.
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"We weren't as clean as I hoped to be," he said. "But we had enough in us (Sunday) to get the win, and that's important. We came out in a new system and I was excited that the gals were able to sort of latch on quick."
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Shockers softball opened its fall scrimmages with a 19-1 win over Avila and a 13-2 win over Crowder College. The competition gets much tougher on Thursday and that's important to coach
Kristi Bredbenner for evaluation purposes.
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The Shockers play host to Oklahoma State (5 p.m.) at Wilkins Stadium. The Shockers defeated OSU four times last season, twice in the NCAA regional.
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Bredbenner added more NCAA opponents to the schedule this fall to test a pitching staff that needs to develop behind No. 1 starter Bailey Lange. Lange, who threw four innings Sunday, likely won't throw against Oklahoma State or Kansas (Oct. 12) because she will likely face them in the spring. That gives coaches a chance to evaluate sophomores Caitlin Bingham, McKenzie Weber, Hailey Martinez and Erin McDonald.
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"We want to see how much they improved, what's their mentality going to be now that they're sophomores," Bredbenner said.Â
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Wichita State's women's tennis team sends its best to the ITA All-American Championships in Pacific Palisades, Calif., starting Saturday. Fatima Bizhukova and Marta Bellucco, ranked No. 14 nationally, play doubles. Bizhukova, No. 36 nationally, and No. 94 Sandra Honigova are in the singles draw.
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