The RoundHouse | 1/8/2021 3:45:00 PM
In 2017, Wichita State volleyball debuted in the American Athletic Conference with a 20-0 record and hosted NCAA matches.
Since then, coach
Chris Lamb admits, it hasn't been the same. Injuries robbed the Shockers of trademark experience and strength at setter and libero and pushed people into roles they weren't ready to play against a strong schedule.
Wichita State started practice this week for its COVD-19-delayed spring schedule and Lamb said the Shockers are in a better place.
"We had two years of that ball control, setter and libero position, just being behind," Lamb said. "It takes a lot to patch that back together again, so I'm really excited about the youth in the program. I love the spirit and energy."
Spring volleyball schedules can begin on Jan. 22 and the Shockers will play 10 home matches, six against conference opponents. The schedule is not set. Wichita State practiced in the fall after the pandemic delayed the season.
Earlier this week, they regrouped to prepare for the spring season.
"It's been weird coming back straight off of winter break," middle
Emma Wright said. "I think we're getting back into it and adjusting pretty fast."
In the fall, coaches worked to keep practices focused and competitive. They scheduled scrimmages with limited fan attendance and emphasized that the season was delayed, not cancelled.
"It was fun coming into the gym," Wright said. "A lot of teams were shut down. We were grateful to be there."
The Shockers did a good job limiting COVID-19 disruptions and the payoff comes now after a productive fall.
"We had a couple months in the fall to train and so we know how each of our teammates are and how they play," setter
Kayce Litzau said. "We have much more of a team atmosphere and better chemistry already."
Lamb – like with a baseball team that is strong defensively up the middle – is optimistic about setter and libero. The Shockers (9-19 last season) went 5-4 to finish the season, highlighted by wins over 22-11 Tulane and 18-16 Tulsa.
"You really saw us coming on late in the conference season," he said. "We're back and we're certainly better, more polished, more organized, more prepared."
Litzau, a sophomore, played in 25 matches last season and recorded 358 assists. Senior
McKayla Wuensch totaled 434 assists in 22 matches.
"All (Litzau) has done is improve – she's stronger, she's faster, she plays better defense, she's becoming more accurate," Lamb said. "McKayla has all the athleticism in the world to play at his level. For her, it's all about accuracy. We've always gone athletic at the setter position and hope we can piece it together. We feel pretty good about that with these two."
At libero, an injury to 2018 AAC Libero of the Year Giorgia Civita short-circuited plans. She sat out 2019 with a knee injury before transferring to Wisconsin.
Sophomore
Lily Liekweg returns after playing in 16 matches last season. Sophomore Sina Uluave is working at libero after playing an attacker as a freshman. Junior
Bryn Stansberry is a transfer from Iowa Western Community College.
"We're one year farther along than we were and progress is being made," Lamb said. "We don't really have the all-star – can we as a team put enough together that we're better at the ball control stuff? Can we pass good enough? Can we set good enough? We're a year farther along."
Wright's return is another boost to the roster. She will enter nursing school in Phoenix in the summer and debated ending her volleyball career.
"I want this for Emma as much as anything," Lamb said.
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu
