WICHITA, Kan. – Trailing two sets to one, Wichita State rallied past East Carolina 25-12, 16-25, 20-25, 25-21, 15-10 to extend their conference winning streak to four matches.
 
It's the first time since WSU's undefeated run through the American in 2017 that the Shockers have won four consecutive matches in conference play. WSU improved to 5-1 on the season in five-set matches.
 
The Shockers (10-6, 4-3) bludgeoned East Carolina in the first set, hitting a white-hot .706 in the set for a comfortable win. With ECU hanging around within 10-6 early in the set, Wichita State seized 14 of the next 17 points to pull away. Brylee Kelly had six kills and Sophie Childs added five in the 25-12 decision.
 
East Carolina (7-9, 3-4) had the answer in sets two and three, slowing down Wichita State's potent offense to the tune of .049 and .089 hitting percentages, respectively. Pirates outside hitter Sydney Kleinman posted five kills in each set, as ECU did not trail in either stanza.
 
The tide began to turn midway through the fourth set. With ECU leading 12-9, the Shockers got a kill from Kelly and an ace from Morgan Weber, combined with an ECU attack error, to pull even in the set. After trading points to reach 16-16, kills from Natalie Foster and Sophie Childs put Wichita State in front to stay. An incredible final point nailed down the set for the Shockers, as a diving effort from Bryn Stansberry plus a block from Kayce Litzau eventually teed up Kelly for the clinching kill.
 
In the fifth set, WSU grabbed control by taking the first three points on two Kelly kills sandwiched around a putaway from Foster. The Shockers kept ECU at arm's length the rest of the way, stretching the lead out to five at 13-8 on a kill from Litzau and a Kleinman attack error. The Pirates made one last charge to slice the lead to 13-10, but another Kelly kill and an errant swing from Kleinman got the Shockers across the finish line.
 
Kelly and Kleinman each finished with 21 kills to tie for match-high honors, while Foster chipped in with 13 to aid the WSU attack. Litzau posted a double-double with 54 assists and 11 digs, adding a career-high six kills. Lily Liekweg led the Shockers with 19 digs, while Weber (11) also reached double-figures.
 
Wichita State is back in action at Charles Koch Arena on Sunday afternoon against Cincinnati. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 PM and can be streamed live on ESPN+.