The RoundHouse | 5/28/2024 4:28:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Grace Hett and Olivia Brown are enjoying a unique transition to college volleyball in their first weeks at Wichita State. It's late May and they are 10-plus practices in with new teammates and getting ready for matches in Brazil.
 
Alyssa Gonzales gave them nicknames (Hett is G-Dawg; Brown is Ollie). They got a dose of Katie Galligan's energy and enthusiasm.
 
"Katie is really good at hyping you up," said Hett, a freshman defensive specialist from Marion. "She is there screaming in my ear. It gives me confidence."
 
The Shockers are in Brazil this week to start an exhibition tour in which they plan to play four matches over 10 days. Coach Chris Lamb expects a solid level of competition, one targeted to his team's ability. Equally beneficial is the time together building chemistry.
 
"Those bonds and friendships will help a lot quicker than freshman who won't get there until July on other teams," said Brown, a freshman defensive specialist from Flower Mound, Texas.
 
 

Mic'd Up with KG 🎤

Katie Galligan takes us inside practice ahead of the trip to Brazil! pic.twitter.com/jEKGk478bA

— Wichita State Volleyball (@GoShockersVB) May 25, 2024

 
 
Gonzales, a transfer from TCU, and freshman setter Sarah Musial joined the Shockers in January and played in the team's spring scrimmages. He is confident that middle Sarah Barham, a transfer from Wofford who joined the roster recently, will click with returning setter Izzi Strand. On the pins, Gonzales and returners Brooklyn Leggett and Maddie Wilson can show how they fit into Lamb's point-scoring plans.
 
"Those three need to be ready to go," Lamb said. "Hopefully, this will be an active and prosperous 10 days."
 
Hett and Brown are among the newcomers on the trip who are blending in and learning. Lamb views the trip as a chance to continue progress made in the spring. The highest compliment a new face receives is when she doesn't slow down a drill.
 
"We've got to keep growing on what we've done and make (newcomers) as productive as we can as soon as we can," he said. "As the new players have shown up, it's trying to get them assimilated and integrated."
 
Hett and Brown are, unexpectedly, part of a group Lamb is watching closely on the trip. Returning libero Gabi Maas, who led WSU with 496 digs in 2023 is out with an injury.
 
"Is somebody stepping up?" Lamb said. "I feel like (Hett and Brown) come in here much closer to our other players than they probably realize. When they are put into a specific role, I think they can do that role really, really well. They can both really make an impact in our gym."
 
Maas' absence puts Galligan, Annalie Heliste, Reagan Anderson and the freshmen in the spotlight. Hett said her early introduction to college volleyball is teaching her the importance of being aggressive, even as a rookie. Brown is learning patience with her hand placement while she is forming her platform to pass.
 
"You don't want to step on anyone's toes, but you also know you need to go get that ball," Hett said. "Sometimes I catch myself waiting a step too late."
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.