The RoundHouse | 9/29/2023 8:59:00 AM
By Paul Suellentrop
Two weeks ago,
Izzi Strand and
Emerson Wilford met for Boba tea and volleyball talk.
"We sat down, and we were like 'Hey, we've got this together," Strand said. "Our connection has gotten a lot better since then. We know how to talk to each other."
That conversation is part of Wilford's ongoing rise in stature for Shocker volleyball. Wilford, a sophomore outside hitter, is fourth on the team with 91 kills, averaging 2.12 a set, and fifth with 49 digs. She leads the Shockers with five solo blocks and is third with 28 block-assists.
"We were trying to find ways to get on the scoreboard more," Wilford said. "She was super-supportive and helpful. I feel like we've been connecting more – not that we weren't connecting before – but finding other ways."
The Shockers (8-4, 2-0 American Athletic Conference) play at SMU (9-5, 3-0) on Friday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.).
That bond with teammates is part of the environment that drew Wilford to Wichita State from Laguna Hills, Calif. Her father, Marty, played professional hockey in the United States and Europe after being drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks. The family moved 19 times and spent three years in Germany.
When she evaluated schools, the atmosphere and coaches ranked higher than location on her list. Shocker coach
Chris Lamb knew one of her coaches and asked about her at a tournament during freshman year in high school.
"I valued coaching, volleyball and the team," she said. "My dad valued all those things. We made life around the team. I love Wichita."
Strand, as setter, needs to know her hitters take her words as intended – constructive and supportive. In the heat and noise of a match, sometimes that isn't easy.
"I told her we needed her," Strang said. "The more you know them off the court, the better on the court your connection is. Our communication has increased a lot."
Wilford, who played in 13 matches and totaled 46 kills in 2022, took advantage of playing time early this season by recording 13 kills and hitting .303 against Houston Christian and 11 kills in a win over Illinois. She hit .250 with 13 kills and three total blocks in a sweep of Bradley. On Saturday, she had a career-high 12 digs in a sweep of Charlotte.
"She's learning how to stick to what her strengths are," Lamb said. "Depth. She can hit down the line. Tips and roll shots are getting better."
One of Lamb's teaching points for Wilford, who is hitting .159, is being smarter with her crosscourt shots and attack from different angles.
"We've been working on different types of sets, trying to get me to move around more so I'm not just getting the same ball," Wilford said. "If you look back at last year, I don't think I tipped a single ball."
Last year was the starting point for Wilford. This year, she is coming through when needed for the Shockers.
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
