The RoundHouse | 3/25/2023 6:25:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Izzi Strand wanted to hear from coaches – her strengths, weaknesses and everything in between. She transferred to Wichita State, where coaches chat up their setters frequently.
 
"I want to grow as much as I can," she said. "In practice, they're definitely on me all the time. Pushing me every practice and every point so I don't take any plays off. They're always asking me how I'm doing and making sure I keep on going forward."
 
Strand, a senior who transferred from UC San Diego, enjoyed her first weekend of volleyball competition as a Shockers. Wichita State scrimmaged at Koch Arena on Friday night and then played five sets against Kansas State on Saturday afternoon. With returner Kayce Litzau rehabbing a foot injury, Strand and redshirt freshman Lauren Wheeler shared setter duties.
 
"A lot of people got to play, and a lot of people had to be forced to work together," assistant coach Katie Zimmerman said. "We're really trying to teach them how to carry ourselves, like failure recovery. They did a nice job after being throw in a lot of different situations. They did a really nice job of recovering."
 
Strand's presence on the roster illustrates what coaches say is the key feature of the spring. The addition of six transfers makes the Shockers deeper and sharpens competition in the back and front rows.
 
"They've bettered our gym in every aspect," said senior outside hitter Brylee Kelly.
 
Zimmerman ran the team on Saturday with coach Chris Lamb away with his club team. In addition to Strand, middle blocker Maddie Wilson, outside hitter Megan Reilly, libero Gabi Maas, attacker Brooklyn Leggett and outside hitter Barbara Koehler also joined the Shockers this spring.
 
"Our transfers have integrated super well with our girls, and they're playing pretty large roles," Zimmerman said. "That's exciting from a recruiting standpoint."
 
Strand is busy learning Wichita State's system, terminology, and numerous plays. Saturday gave her a chance to work against a new opponent.
 
"Our calls and our sets are all very different," she said. "We call a 'slide' a 'fly' and we call a '1' an 'up.' So, I had to adjust to the different names of things. Then I had to adjust to different types of sets."
 
Early in Saturday's match, Strand scored aggressively, especially in the early sets, and used her 6-foot-1 frame as an effective blocker.
 
"We need more scoring and that's something Izzi has the opportunity to provide us," Zimmerman said. "She has great hands. She can throw the ball around."
 
Fans also got a good look at Maas, a transfer from TCU.
 
"She has great control," Zimmerman said. "She's had high-level club training, so I think she can fit great into a system, but she can also read really well, carry stuff on her own. She touches everything, so I think she's going to be very impactful."
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.