WICHITA – No. 17 Creighton claimed the Shocker Volleyball Classic title with a 3-0 sweep of host Wichita State on Saturday evening at Charles Koch Arena. Sets scores were 26-24, 25-23 and 25-18.
WSU (6-3) had its opportunities early.
Kailin Newsome recorded back-to-back kills to tie the first set at 24, but Norah Sis answered with a kill and Kianna Schmitt and Kendra Wait teamed up for a block to secure set point.
The second set featured 11 ties – the last at 23-23. Again the veteran Bluejays made key plays. Sis and Jaela Zimmerman each recorded kills to give the visitors a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.
In the third set, Zimmerman served the Bluejays to eight-consecutive points (three of them aces) for a 12-5 advantage. Creighton coasted from there.
Brylee Kelly was the Shockers' kill leader for the third time this weekend, finishing with 10 on 31 swings (.226).
Lily Liekweg tallied 15 digs and
Kayce Litzau handed out 30 assists.
Creighton (12-1) outhit the Shockers .237 to .150.
Zimmerman – the tournament MVP – hit .306 with 17 kills to go with 13 digs.
Sis added a double-double of her own with 13 kills and 10 digs, and Wait stacked up 44 assists.
The Shockers next set their sights on American Athletic Conference play.
Due to the after effects of Hurricane Ida, WSU will play both of its matches next weekend at Houston's Fertitta Center: Friday, Sep. 24 against Tulane (2 p.m. CT) and Sunday, Sep. 26 against Houston (1 p.m. CT).
Shocker Volleyball Classic All-Tournament Team:
MVP – Jaela Zimmerman, Creighton
Abby Bottomley, Creighton
Kendra Wait, Creighton
Brylee Kelly, Wichita State
Erika Jones, Wyoming
Payton Chamberlain, Wyoming
Lolo Weideman, South Dakota
