WICHITA, Kan. – The Wichita State University volleyball team jumped out to an early lead with a victory in the first set, but fell short, dropping a 3-1 decision to preseason American Athletic Conference favorite UCF Friday, Oct. 18, inside Charles Koch Arena. The set scores were 25-23, 19-25, 11-25 and 23-25.
 
Wichita State (4-15, 1-6 American) is scheduled to conclude its four-match homestand with a contest vs. USF Sunday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m. Sunday's match is the annual Dig Pink contest, and $2 of every ticket sold will be donated to the Side-Out Foundation for breast cancer research and awareness.
 
Sophomore Megan Taflinger paced WSU offensively with 10 kills, while junior McKayla Wuensch secured her third consecutive double-double with a team-high 22 assists to go along with 10 digs.
 
Freshman Kayce Litzau added 20 assists, senior Kara Bown compiled 16 digs, and junior Brooke Smith tied her career-high with a team-high seven block assists, respectively.
 
UCF (13-6, 6-1 American) outhit the Shockers in the contest, .287 to .121, and tallied a 13-10 edge in total blocks, as well as a 6-2 advantage in service aces.
 
McKenna Melville had a match-high 18 kills and hit .255, pacing the Knights.