The RoundHouse | 10/14/2021 8:46:00 PM

 
 
Brylee Kelly went to the spot and expected the volleyball to arrive on time. That is what happens when things go as planned on the court.

Things often don't go as planned.
 
"Volleyball is very situational and nothing is ever going to be near-perfect," setter Kayce Litzau said.

A lot of those situations are frantic and improvised. It is those bad-ball, out-of-system moments that Kelly is learning how to handle. That is a key step in Kelly's development into Wichita State's prime scoring weapon at outside hitter – her approaches to the ball fit the situation.
 
"Brylee's had to learn how to get to less-than-perfect sets better so she can use her physical advantage," coach Chris Lamb said. "Better recognition of the flight of the ball. Willingness to take longer or shorter strides. Willingness to accelerate or decelerate at the right time."
 
Kelly, a redshirt sophomore, recorded 29 kills in Sunday's 3-2 win at SMU. That total trails Emily Stockman's 2009 mark of 30 vs. Missouri State to rank second in program history. For the season, Kelly ranks fifth in the American Athletic Conference in kills with an average of 3.43 a set and sixth in points at 3.75 a set. Her attack percentage of .261 is well above last spring's mark of .172.
 
 

Just checking in to report @brylee_kelly is still hitting rockets 🚀

📺: https://t.co/1GdCfX5ILA pic.twitter.com/RXI4ZWACTP

— Wichita State Volleyball (@GoShockersVB) October 10, 2021

Those numbers show she is tracking the ball in flight and preparing to adjust, instead of counting on set arriving at a spot. That allows her to get good swings on more balls, either to score or to put stress on the defense to dig and pass.
 
"If my set isn't perfect to the spot, with her getting a good approach she still has options for what to hit," Litzau said. "It's not like an easy tip that the defense can read."
 
During her time at Wichita State, she improved her diet and grew stronger and quicker with more time in the weight room. She and Litzau's chemistry grew with practice. This fall, the Shockers needed a scoring leader and Kelly grabbed that role.
 
"Sooner or later, people start believing that they belong at this level," Lamb said. ""I'll never discount confidence."
 
Kelly's confidence comes from her work.
 
It also comes from a feeling the Shockers (9-6, 3-3 American Athletic Conference) are a cohesive unit that can continue playing well. Wichita State, with three straight wins, plays host to East Carolina (7-8, 3-3) on Friday (7 p.m.) and Cincinnati (10-4, 5-1) on Sunday (1 p.m.) at Koch Arena.
 
Last's weekend sweep at Memphis and SMU backed up a 1-1 weekend at home and gave the Shockers the boost that road wins carry. It's great to win at home. Winning on the road, they hope, proves something more about toughness and resolve.
 
"I had so much fun playing this weekend," Kelly said. "It wasn't like stressful. We were confident, but relaxed. I felt like I knew we were going to win."
 
Litzau recorded a career-high 61 assists against SMU. After experimenting with a two-setter offense early in the season, Lamb handed the offense to Litzau in the 5-1. She attributes the fun weekend to a "do your job" mentality.
 
"Confidence individually and confidence in your teammates," Litzau said. "Trusting each other that they will do their job to make your job easier. If you trust that they're going to get the dig, they're going to make their serve, hit their shot, you focus on yourself and make sure you execute the things you need to."
 

Not sure what's more impressive, the up from @brynnnn1 or the down from @brylee_kelly 🤔

📺: https://t.co/LxXSzhmYcc pic.twitter.com/hak0g6gWas

— Wichita State Volleyball (@GoShockersVB) October 2, 2021

Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.