Volleyball | 9/15/2025 5:31:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Wichita State volleyball attendance passed an average of 1,000 fans a match in 2004. Except for the COVID-19 season, crowds remained above that mark every season since.
 
As the years and championships piled up under coach Chris Lamb, it became easy to see 1,000-2,000 seats occupied at Koch Arena as routine.
 
The Shockers often ranked among the top 25 nationally once attendance surpassed 2,000 and hit 3,000-plus in 2008, 2014 and 2017. They led the American Conference in three of the past four seasons.
 

Two people who don't take those numbers for granted are newcomers Sydney Dunning and Jordan Heatherly. Wichita State drew 1,277 fans for its opening match against Kennesaw State and 1,311 for a win over Arkansas and that crowd made a big impression on Dunning and Heatherly.
 
"I have never played in front of a crowd this big," said Heatherly, a transfer setter from Memphis. "I've never had such dedicated fans and people who want the best for us. You soak it in a little bit more."
 
Wichita State (6-2) plays No. 17 Kansas (6-4) at 6 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN+) at Koch Arena and advance sales indicate the crowd should surpass 2,000. Last fall, attendance topped at 1,937 vs. UTSA. In 2023, WSU surpassed 2,000 for matches against Kansas, Charlotte and UAB.
 
Fans mean Dunning, a junior outside hitter who transferred from Cal State Bakersfield, doesn't need to worry about manufacturing excitement.
 
"It gives you so much hype," she said. "You just want to play good for them. We want to perform to our highest level for them, and they give us the energy we need."
 
Dunning, who joined the Shockers in January, and summer addition Heatherly, also a junior, are doing their part to add to the season's energy.
 
Dunning is a six-rotation attacker who leads the Shockers with an average of 4.17 points a set and 3.87 kills a set with a .295 attack percentage. She also averages 2.57 digs a set, third on the team. She taken 206 serves, more than double any teammate, and handled 94.7 percent successfully.
 
"She's got everything she needs," Lamb said. "We just need to keep her well-oiled and tight and help her out. Her and (right-side) Brooklyn (Leggett) are going to be the priority of every scouting report, so they've got to be willing to adjust."
 
Dunning and Heatherly meshed quickly, helped by Heatherly's willingness to ask questions and Dunning's fire.
 
"She's probably one of the most competitive people I've ever met," Heatherly said. "Any time in practice she will say 'I want the next ball. Give me the next ball.' That shows she always wants to take care of it and wants to put the ball down."
 

While Dunning often attacks on the pins, she doesn't always want the slow, loopy sets that many attackers prefer. She gets to her spot fast and is ready to swing. Lamb tells Heatherly she can't beat Dunning to the pin with her set.
 
"I've never had to run such as fast tempo," Heatherly said. "We're building that trust that she's going to be there if I do want to go faster. Those (conversations) have helped a lot."
 
Heatherly entered the transfer portal and signed with Wichita State in June. At Memphis, she ranked fifth in the American Conference with an average of 9.49 assists a set and fourth in service aces (0.39 a set) in 2024. When practice started in August, she made learning the terminology and strategy a priority.
 
"She asks a million questions," Dunning said. "She has such an open and positive mindset. Asking questions about what we like as specific hitters, trying to adjust to us, but also us trying to adjust to her."
 
Heatherly sees asking questions and considering answers building bonds.
 
"It's a good way to earn trust with your teammates as being vulnerable," she said. "We're all in a new system on a new team with new people. Learning what all of us like has helped."
 
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.