The RoundHouse | 1/21/2021 4:44:00 PM

 
Sina Ulauve came to Wichita State as an outside hitter with a big arm.
 
She also came with a backup plan to change positions if she learned her size limited her future as an attacker.
 
Uluave, a 5-foot-11 sophomore from Hawaii, is one of the Shocker liberos as the season starts on Friday. As a freshman, she played in 27 matches at outside hitter. She experimented on the back row last spring and spent most of her time at libero during fall practices.
 
"This wasn't a huge transition for me, as I was prepared for it," she said. "If my height came into play, then I would be libero or (defensive specialist). Now that I'm in the role, I want to apply myself and keep going."
 
The Shockers open their season, delayed until the spring by COVID-19, on Friday vs. South Dakota in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational in Springfield, Mo. Uluave and sophomore Lily Liekweg are coach Chris Lamb's top candidates to play libero.
 
"Lily and Sina have been waging a wonderful war against each other for the job," Lamb said. "The ability at the little position in our gym is so much heading in the right direction."
 
Lamb's willingness to move Uluave reflects her potential at the position and growing strength at outside hitter to replace her points. Uluave possess the volleyball instincts and agility to adjust to the new position. 
 
"I have to see things differently," she said. "I have to be more rangy, on the left and right side, going under blocks, in between blocks. I'm still learning how to stay disciplined and trust what I'm seeing."
 
The change in role means she must be more aggressive as the leader of the serve-receive efforts.
 
"Every ball is mine and I'm going to try to touch every ball," she said. "In my head now, I'm all in. If I have to hit the floor, I hit the floor."
 
Coaches like her presence on the court. Her serving and passing are improving.
 
"People trust being on the floor with Sina," assistant coach Chelsea Scott said, "As non-tangible as that is, it's a big thing. She just understands the game."
 
Uluave, who recorded 178 kills and 238 digs last season, rarely played libero in high school or club volleyball. Her six-rotation skills gave her confidence that her digging and passing skills translated to libero. She watched former Stanford All-American Morgan Hentz a role model at the position.
 
"I knew I had that middle-back defense," she said. "What I told the coaches was that if I can apply myself 100 percent to it, I could really see myself succeeding in it. Now that I'm straight libero and I'm seeing things differently from outside, that helped my confidence."
 
Liekweg, as well as junior transfer Bryn Stansberry and freshman Shea Lauria, give Lamb confidence in his back row. Liekweg's passing accuracy is improving and will play a large part in determining her role.
 
"Lily is the athlete that you look for," Lamb said. "Strong. She can stay low and move. Hustler."
 
Uluave knows she is giving up some of the spotlight that attackers earn. Liberos might draw cheers with a daring dive or by handling a red-hot attack. It is often fleeting as the attention of the crowd follows the ball.
 
"I am definitely going to miss the hype," she said. "Getting the kill in Koch Arena and hearing your name and everyone going crazy for you. That's the one thing I will miss."
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.