The RoundHouse | 11/30/2023 9:02:00 PM
By Paul Suellentrop
Even within the outstanding balance that defines Wichita State this season, junior middle
Morgan Stout is on a trajectory that stands out.
She showed it again Thursday in Wichita State's 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-19) win over Arkansas State in the first round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship at Koch Arena.
"It's been beautiful to watch," Wichita State coach
Chris Lamb said. "I said, last match, that was her master class. Add this one to it and now we're kind of on a roll where she is playing at an elite level."
The Shockers (22-8) play Tulsa (18-14) at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Koch Arena in the second round of the 32-team tournament. The winner advances to the quarterfinals beginning Dec. 5 against either Drake or DePaul at a site to be determined. Tulsa, which lost 3-1 and 3-0 to WSU in October, defeated Kansas City 3-1 on Thursday.
Stout led the Shockers with a .750 attack percentage, recording nine kills on 12 swings with no errors. Last week, she dented UAB for 13 kills and a .524 attack percentage.
Those numbers show a player who is finding the right routes and timing and using her superior athletic skills to put the ball on the floor in a variety of ways. Stout possessed that jumping ability and powerful swing in her first two seasons She lacked experience and refinement. She hit .202 as a freshman and .178 last season.
Thursday's match raised her attack percentage to .342.
"My knowledge of volleyball has actually grown a lot," she said. "I'm playing a lot smarter. That's helped me be more confident in my swing."
Stout, who played volleyball and basketball at Nickerson High, started playing volleyball in sixth grade. Leg injuries derailed two seasons and she redshirted in 2021 at Wichita State. The injuries limited her practice time to protect her legs.
This season, she is healthy and showing what work and practice time can create.
"
Morgan Stout's just learning volleyball," Lamb said. "We committed a lot of time this spring to the needs of
Morgan Stout. We did a drill every single day just in the hopes it would accelerate her comfort level. Can you identify something and go on a route?"
The answer more and more often this season is Stout can do all that and in sometimes spectacular ways. She even added two service aces in the third set to help the Shockers pull away from a 17-all tie.
As has been the pattern, the Shockers spread out their attack.
Left
Barbara Koehler also had nine kills and hit .333 Her nine digs demonstrate her comfort playing all six rotations and Lamb's need for more scoring. Middle
Natalie Foster added eight kills on 16 swings, also with no errors.
Katie Galligan debuted at libero and recorded 11 digs, as did setter
Izzi Strand.
"We've noticed (Koehler) is owning this opportunity and been aggressive and hasn't let it get to her when there's been a mistake or two," Lamb said. "Ba has really emerged in the last few weeks as being the most consistent outside hitter at a high level."
The Shockers, after finishing second in the American Athletic Conference and with a No. 62 RPI, believe they're an NCAA-quality team that didn't quite compile the necessary resume. The best way to back that up is to win NIVC matches.
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
