The RoundHouse | 11/7/2025 9:48:00 AM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Emerson Wilford wanted to contribute more as a senior than she did as a junior. Senior season, for her, was going to be a time to improve and go out on a strong note with Wichita State volleyball.

"In my end of the year meeting last year, we talked about what I wanted for this season," she said. "I talked about everything that I've learned so far and, 'How can I put that best version out on the court every single day?'  Elevate myself as a player and elevate the people around me."
The Shockers (16-8, 8-4 American) play ECU (3-9, 11-12) at 7 p.m., Friday (ESPN+) and Charlotte (15-9, 6-6) at 1 p.m., Sunday (ESPN+) at Koch Arena. WSU has won six of eight matches with both losses in five sets, putting itself in position to move up in the standings before the American Championships.

Wilford, an outside hitter from Laguna Hills, Calif., is contributing with a career-high attack percentage of .210 and kill percentage – coach Chris Lamb's statistic of choice – at 32 percent. Her blocking skills contribute to a team that is holding opponents to a .189 attack percentage in conference matches, fourth in the conference. On Sunday, the Shockers held then first-place USF to a .185 attack percentage, its low in conference play.

 

Emerson with the solo STUFF@emersonwilford_ pic.twitter.com/bvhC1ahg0R

— Wichita State Volleyball (@GoShockersVB) November 2, 2025

"This is her best season by a mile," Lamb said. "What Emerson has done this year is stick to an attack menu that makes sense for her. I'm going to get good blocking and we're going to get greasy attacking."

Wilford aimed for those goals after a junior season in which she set career highs with 252 kills, 213 digs and 78 blocks. She wanted to contribute more, primarily by improving a .150 attack percentage. Senior season, for her, was not going to be a standstill.

"I'm trying to find ways for the team to win," she said. "Recognizing that even if I'm not having my best match, I know what I can do to continue to push the team to win a match.

"Greasy" in the Lamb lexicon means tactical and efficient. Wilford is better scoring down the lines this season. She's worked on improving her approach to the sets and attacking from different spots than previously. Her errors are down. Her kill percentage is up from 27 percent as a junior as a result, a significant jump in Lamb's estimation.

"She's going to be choppy around the block," he said. "She's not going to try to rip it under and get dug. She's going to make their blockers earn it, and never make errors."

Wilford credits her improvement hitting down the lines with rounding out her attacks.
 
"I've also worked on, when I don't have line game, not to force it," she said. "I feel like I had a few deep corners that worked (last weekend). Trying to tip when there's an opportunity for it."
 
Wichita State's strong weekend vs. USF and FAU reminds Wilford of last season's American Championships. The Shockers entered the tournament seeded fourth after losing three of four matches to end the regular season. They swept Tulsa, top-seeded USF and FAU to earn the American's bid to the NCAA Tournament.
 
"It had a very similar vibe, like absolutely everything was in our control," she said. "I always felt like we were ahead. Everybody was swinging great. Defense was great. Setting was great."
 
 

. @emersonwilford_ with the put back to give us the first set win! pic.twitter.com/g6iViALg7P

— Wichita State Volleyball (@GoShockersVB) October 11, 2025

 
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
 
Season tickets are on sale now, and season ticket renewals are available as well. To purchase, visit GoShockers.com/Tickets, dial 316-978-FANS (3267) or stop by the Shocker Ticket Office, located inside Charles Koch Arena, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.