The RoundHouse | 9/23/2022 10:01:00 PM

 
 
What seemed like drama the Shockers described matter-of-factly. No worries. Put the ball in play and count on talent.
 
"We kind looked at each other and were like 'Hey, let's do this," said outside hitter Brylee Kelly said. "We did it."
 
Wichita State trailed Temple 19-14 in set 2. After a timeout, the Shockers went on a 6-1 run to tie it and won the set 25-21. That win propelled them to a sweep (25-13, 25-21, 25-15) of the Owls on Friday at Koch Arena.
 
The Shockers (6-6, 1-0 American Athletic Conference) didn't need magic words or strategy to complete that 11-2 burst. Morgan Weber and Lily Liekweg served safely and trusted the Shockers could win the rallies against the Owls (6-6, 0-1).
 
"I felt like tonight the odds are in our favor, let's play volleyball," coach Chris Lamb said. "We just needed to not try to be too aggressive back there. There are times to be aggressive. There's plenty of times not to be."
 
The Shockers fell behind 7-3 in set 2 after handing the Owls two points on attack errors, one on a service error and one on a ball-handling error. They cut the lead to 15-12 before two more service errors helped Temple go up 19-14.
 
Those problems didn't push the Shockers off course.
 
 

Grit. Hustle. Determination. 😤#NCAAWVB #SCtop10 x 🎥 @GoShockersVB pic.twitter.com/vCYPvtk5ZJ

— NCAA Women's Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) September 24, 2022

 
 
"We were giving them silly little points on errors," setter Kayce Litzau said. "We were able to clean it up. Mentally, nothing changed. We were smart with the ball.
It was quite a growth from earlier in the season."
 
Litzau directed an efficient offense that spread the swings around. The Shockers hit .307, second-best this season, with a season-low nine attack errors. Middle Natalie Foster hit .700 with eight kills on 10 swings. Kelly led the Shockers with nine kills and hit .333. Right-side Sophia Rohling added seven kills and middle Morgan Stout five.
 
Litzau recorded 28 assists and three kills.
 
The conference opener brought out a crowd of 2,316 and the Shockers enjoyed the atmosphere. They saluted the pep band after the match and took their victory lap to slap hands with fans. Liekweg signed her yellow jersey for a fan. Kelly signed posters in the Koch Arena tunnel and had so many requests she worried about missing the team's post-match meeting.

She made it. No need to worry.
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.