The RoundHouse | 11/11/2022 1:17:00 PM

 
Wichita State's Natalie Foster can look at the numbers on the paper and know she is on a hot streak.
 
The background is much more interesting than statistics and are about her voice and determination as much as her arm and eyes.
 
The Shockers are setting Foster, a sophomore middle blocker, significantly more frequently over the past 10 matches. Her attack numbers remain strong. Facing defenses stacked to stop her, Foster is excelling.
 
"It's impressive," said setter Kayce Litzau. "It's a testament to how smart she is and how well she can control the ball and put it on her hand. Smart attacks, that are aggressive."
 
Foster attributes her growing numbers to growing confidence, taking more ownership of the team's direction and her connection with Litzau.
 
"I'm looking at these numbers and it gives me confidence to keep going," Foster said. "My confidence in these past three weeks is really what changed for me and made that happen. Communicating more with my team. Being more assertive of what I want."
 
Wichita State (13-11, 8-5 American Athletic Conference) is home this weekend for matches against Tulane (8-17, 3-11) at 7 p.m. Friday and No. 23 Houston (23-2, 14-0) at noon Sunday.
 
Litzau and Foster are in their third season working together.
 
 

Sometimes you're in the right position defensively against Nat, sometimes it doesn't matter@nat_1050 💥

📺 https://t.co/s2YCu6HXde pic.twitter.com/sh1grUSOHZ

— Wichita State Volleyball (@GoShockersVB) November 6, 2022

 
 
"We've been doing a really good job recently of communicating where sets need to be and what I like and what she feels is happening," Foster said.
 
Over the past 10 matches, Foster averages 29.3 attack attempts per match. Her swings surpassed 30 six times, peaking at 38 in a win over Tulsa, after not hitting 30 in the previous 14 matches.
 
In those 10 matches, she is hitting .382, reaching .400 or better seven times. Her season mark is .358, fourth in the American Athletic Conference.
 
"She is keeping the ball in front of her and taking great approaches," coach Chris Lamb said. "Her energy level is up, and she is executing at a high level."
 
Some of that energy comes away from matches. Foster, in her third season at Wichita State, is demanding more of herself and her teammates.
 
"We want to win," Foster said. "We've got to get after it. I've raised standards for myself. I'm trying to work as hard as I can. That might be me being more vocal, getting on somebody a little bit more, but I think it's something that needed to be done."
 
Lamb and Litzau notice her voice more prominently. Foster considers herself a quiet person. She is recognizing that her status on the team and her goals put her in the position to help coaches. Her competitive nature, she said, is pushing her to push others in that direction.
 
"Encouraging others," Litzau said. "Helping with another voice in there to keep us on track."
 
 

Maybe the thermostat in Nat's hotel room was broken, she's coming out hot@nat_1050 🥵

📺 https://t.co/gohScBE3Gn pic.twitter.com/vbXW4NCLWQ

— Wichita State Volleyball (@GoShockersVB) November 4, 2022

 
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.