The RoundHouse | 12/2/2021 1:57:00 PM
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Chris Lamb walked into the interview room after Wichita State's final volleyball match with a smile and a "We did it."
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Did what?
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The Shockers did a lot in 2021, a season that put the proud program back on track. Wichita State went 19-10 overall and 13-7 in the American Athletic Conference, both its best marks since 2017. What most impressed Lamb is his team's ability to compete with the top teams in the conference despite a rotation featuring one senior.
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"It was a joy to play this year," outside hitter
Brylee Kelly said. "Everyone on the team contributed to growing and a growth year. We're only going to get better from here."
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Many American opponents featured "super seniors" taking a bonus year of eligibility after COVID-19. The Shockers finished in fifth while splitting with third-place Cincinnati and SMU and losing five set matches to all four teams that finished ahead of them.
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An injury to middle blocker
Lauren McMahon ended her season in September and at a time she ranked second in the conference with a .370 hitting percentage. Her absence and a lack of depth at middle forced Lamb to reduce scrimmages to keep his team fresh. While he used that time to improve serving and passing, the limits on scrimmages hindered offensive chemistry.
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"This team was handed a very difficult hand to play," Lamb said. "I've been here 22 seasons, and this is the farthest we've gone from last season to the end of this season."
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Despite those obstacles – and a five-match losing streak – the Shockers set the stage for 2022 with most of the starters and top reserves eligible to return. Outside hitter
Brylee Kelly earned all-conference honors this week with setter
Kayce Litzau and middle Natale Foster on the second team. That is the most representation on the all-conference teams for the Shockers since 2017.
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"Every single individual on our team contributed," Litzau said. "Everyone knew what they needed to do for our team. Everybody was on board the whole entire time. Nobody was a downer."
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Litzau's play ranks as the top development for the season. For the first time since 2017, the Shockers enjoyed consistency and high-level production at setter. Lamb can prepare for next season confident that Litzau is among the conference's best at that position.
He saw Litzau start to take over the role during a 3-2 win over Arkansas State in August. She didn't start but came in late in the first set and helped the Shockers rally from a 2-1 deficit.
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"She helped turn that match around," Lamb said. "I think that did wonders for Kayce. This (fall) was her biggest sign of growth. What we need out of Kayce is sort of that exact amount of growth next year. I want to go from good to great."
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Kelly ranks fourth in the conference with an average of 3.54 kills a set and third in aces (.036 a set). Her growth gave the Shockers a high-level attacking threat on the left and their first all-conference pick at that spot since 2017. She also improved her passing and defense, which will allow her to contribute more back-row attacks.
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In the middle,
Morgan Stout joined Foster to form a combination with great potential.
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"We rode the wave there, but there were nights when you could see next level, and they're freshmen," Lamb said. "I plan on being as good in the middle as anybody in the league for a while. We have a chance to have a very balanced offense for the next few years."
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Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
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