BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Wichita State (9-4, 1-0) won its American Conference opener with a 3-1 win at UAB (7-6, 0-1). The Shockers won by scores of 26-24, 23-25, 25-16 and 25-15.
 
Sydney Dunning led the Shockers with 14 kills, while Brooklyn Leggett added 12 kills and five blocks. Freshman McKenzie Jones had a career-night with a career-high eight kills and five blocks. Jordan Heatherly led WSU with 29 assists and Gabi Maas had 15 digs.
 
The Shockers hit .344 in the match and recorded 11 blocks.
 
A 6-0 run put the Shockers up 13-6 in the first set, but the Blazers chipped away and used a 5-0 run to tie it at 18. The two teams traded points until UAB reached set point at 24-23. WSU responded with an Emerson Wilford kill, Maddie Wilson and Leggett block and a Leggett kill to take the 26-24 win.
 
The Shockers scored the first three points of the second set, but the Blazers responded to tie it at six. UAB jumped in front 14-11, but the Shockers pulled even at 18. A Jones and Wilson block gave WSU the 20-19 lead and a Blazer error put the Shocks up 22-20. UAB scored five of the final six points to take the set 25-23.
 
Three-straight kills from Allie Paulsen, Wilson and Wilford gave the Shockers an early 8-3 lead in the third set and WSU pushed the lead to 19-10 on a Leggett kill. The Shockers went on to win the set 25-16.
 
Wilson served the Shockers to a quick 4-1 lead in the fourth set and a Wilson and Jones block gave WSU the 11-5 lead. Back-to-back kills from Wilford put the Shocks up 18-10 and WSU cruised to the 25-15 win.
 
The Shockers are next in action on Sun., Sept. 28 when they travel to Memphis for a 1 p.m. CT start.