The RoundHouse | 8/19/2021 2:57:00 PM

 
Natalie Foster started jumping rope to music. Then she graduated to YouTube videos as she extended the amount of time in her conditioning session.
 
"Anything that lasted longer than 10 minutes," she said. "Something to keep me entertained. It was crazy – I started getting blisters on my toes."
 
Those jump-rope sessions last year during the Christmas break started Foster on her way to a strong finish to last season as a freshman middle blocker for Wichita State. As fall practices continue, she is the most experienced returner in a young group of middles.
 
"It's such as spirited group, high energy, they learn, they talk," Wichita State coach Chris Lamb said. "You notice them. And Natalie acts like she's been there before."
 
Foster returns for her second season after playing in nine matches and 30 sets last spring during the COVID-19-delayed season. She registered seven or more kills in her final six matches, highlighted by 11 and a .389 attack percentage against Tulane and 17 with a .556 attack percentage and six blocks in a 3-1 win over Houston.
 
Also, back for a second season is Lauren McMahon, who played in 10 matches last spring. Morgan Stout redshirted last season due to injury.
 
"Lauren McMahon is another person who is ahead of schedule," Lamb said. "She's gotten so much stronger. She's made herself very relevant."
 
Foster, from Mattawan, Mich., worked herself into relevancy in March as she improved her athletic ability and grew more confident. She didn't start for her club team before coming to Wichita State and that sapped her confidence.
 
"I was very like 'I'm not good enough,'" she said. "I didn't think I was good enough for a lot of things. My expectations for myself have risen a lot since high school."
 
Lamb saw enough height, hand skills and potential to recruit her while counting on physical improvement.
 
"There were some things she did at a high level," Lamb said. "She makes great hand contact. She can put her hand on both sides of the volleyball. She is able to keep things high and powerful."
 
At Wichita State, she connected with associate head coach Sean Carter. He worked on her volleyball fundamentals and her swagger.
 
"The communication with the coaches really helped me, just them letting me know what I need to fix," she said. "(Carter) pushed me on timing, expected more out of me, so he raised my expectations of myself."
 
Foster said she decided her season reached a turning point in early March. After not playing in two matches against Memphis, she rejoined the lineup against Tulane and played in the six remaining matches.
 
"It clicked in my head that it's either now or it's not going to happen," she said. "I really needed to step up."
 
Improving her physical abilities played an important role in Foster's finish to the season. After the fall semester, coaches told her to jump rope five minutes a day over the break. She started at five and gradually increased her time. When she returned to campus, she added more to her strength and conditioning routines.
 
"Sean really challenged Natalie to work harder," Lamb said. "She started jumping rope after every practice and started putting more emphasis into her body. She completely changed herself. She invested in herself and reaped the rewards."
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.