The RoundHouse | 9/16/2021 3:16:00 PM

 

 
Bryn Stansberry told her teammates that leadership can flow from serving others.
 
Maybe it's picking up equipment after practice. Or pushing teammates to go hard at weights. Maybe it's pointing out which area of the court is open for attacks or keeping spirits up in the huddle after a loss.
 
"I think we've all taken that upon ourselves, as upperclassmen," she said. "Our goal has been to serve others this year. I think we've been better at keeping everyone's energy high."
 
Wichita State (5-1) opens its home schedule this weekend against South Dakota (3-3) at 7 p.m. Friday at Koch Arena. On Saturday, the Shockers play Wyoming (6-3) at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by No. 17 Creighton (9-1) at 7 p.m. All matches are available on ESPN+.
 
A year ago, the Shockers started 8-0 before losing seven straight and finishing 9-8, 4-6 in the American Athletic Conference. From that experience, the Shockers say, they learned how cohesiveness and enthusiasm can help them turn this season's strong start into a more consistent middle and conclusion.
 
They point to two matches as evidence. Against Arkansas State, the Shockers fell behind 2-1 before winning in five sets. Against Delaware, they dropped a fourth set and regrouped to win the final set. In addition, Wichita State played short-handed Friday and Saturday at the Kansas Invitational due to COVID-19 protocols.
 
"We work a lot better together this year," setter Kayce Litzau said. "I think we're doing a good job at overcoming adversity, especially this past weekend with people not there. We're all trying our hardest and we all know that."
 
That is the environment the upperclassmen want to create.
 
"I think what could help us stay on a good track is that we have such great team chemistry this year," Stansberry said. "That can really help us win games. We work so well together, when things go wrong, we're better at recovering from that."
 
The Shockers aren't loaded with experience, especially not in a season where many teams have "super seniors" on their roster using pandemic eligibility. Litzau, in her third season at Wichita State, fills that role as a setter. Stansberry, a defensive specialist who is one of two seniors on the roster, helps the team stay organized and keeps the mood positive.
 
"(Stansberry) always looks out for us and always has uplifting things to say," middle blocker Lauren McMahon said. "Team mom. We had to bring an extra shirt and she is always there to remind us. She reminds us that we have weights, and we have to get in there and get it done. She's very disciplined."
 
This weekend is Wichita State's final tournament before American Athletic Conference play begins. Coach Chris Lamb expects the field to test his team's chemistry and response to adversity. South Dakota is the favorite in the Summit League. Wyoming owns a win over Missouri. Creighton is the Big East favorite and defeated Southern California and then-No. 3 Kentucky earlier this fall. The Bluejays return their starting lineup from last season's team that won the Big East and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Lamb said he told his team early in the pandemic that "nimble" would be an important trait. He likes the way his team and coaching staff adapted this fall.
 
"I'm as happy as you can be at 5-1," Lamb said. "We are playing better volleyball and we are more of a cohesive group. I'm having a blast with our team."
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.