The RoundHouse | 10/17/2021 5:14:00 PM

 

 
Wichita State separated itself from the bottom of the American Athletic Conference with a four-match win streak that kept struggling opponents struggling.
 
On Sunday, the Shockers took a step toward competing at the top of the conference with a five-set win (25-23, 19-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-10) over Cincinnati at Koch Arena. Wichita State (11-6, 5-3) won its fifth straight, its longest streak in conference play since 2017. The Shockers won their third straight in five sets and came from behind in all three.
 
"We seem to be a five-set team, which is OK," libero Lily Liekweg said. "When we do get down, we do a really good job of just getting our composure back and working together."
 
The Bearcats (11-5, 6-2) entered Sunday tied for first place in the conference with UCF and riding a five-match win streak. They left frustrated after the Shockers rallied from a 2-1 deficit, sprinted to an 8-2 lead in the final set and never trailed.
 
After errors bogged them down in sets two and three, the Shockers hit .312 in set four and .320 in the final set. Setter Kayce Litzau, with the Bearcats focusing on outside hitter Brylee Kelly, worked with middles Morgan Stout (10 kills) and Natalie Foster (12).
 
Wichita State's defense held the Bearcats to attack percentages of .174 and .167 in the final two sets.
 
 

Put 'em to sleep, @brylee_kelly. pic.twitter.com/ZvY5BhJZGc

— Wichita State Volleyball (@GoShockersVB) October 17, 2021

Litzau finished with 43 assists and a team-leading 19 digs. She also contributed seven kills after adding six in Friday's win over East Carolina. Litzau's scoring showed in important moments in the fifth set – giving WSU a 21-18 lead and then ending it with a setter dump.
 
"This is the best Kayce Litzau that any of us have ever seen," coach Chris Lamb said. "That's two matches in a row she's been on the scoreboard. We need that."
 
Right-side Sophie Childs, a freshman, led the Shockers with 14 kills, hitting .278, one off her career high. She helped the Shockers finished off the match with three kills in the fifth set.
 
"As she's grown with confidence, so has her volleyball," Lamb said. "She's got some tools and she's a fast learner. She's one of the people who asks really good questions at scouting reports and at practice."
 
Wichita State took control of the fifth set immediately with Liekweg recording two aces – one that stood up to review – during a 4-0 start. The Shockers pushed that lead to 9-2. Cincinnati rallied to within 9-5 before a Childs kill and 11-8 before a service error ended the momentum.
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.