Wichita, Kan. – The Wichita State volleyball team fell in four sets to North Texas Friday night at Charles Koch Arena. The Mean Green (12-10, 5-6 American) took the first set, and while the Shockers (6-17, 3-8 American) responded with a victory in set two, UNT claimed the match with wins in sets three and four for a 3-1 final score.
North Texas controlled the opening set. With the score tied 2-2, UNT scored four straight points to take a 6-2 lead. The Mean Green would hold that lead for the remainder of the set, winning 25-18.
Wichita State responded in set two scoring four of the first five points to take an early 4-1 lead.
Janaya Weitkemper tallied two kills to help the Shockers jump in front. A kill from
Jenna Cubbage gave WSU a 10-5 advantage and forced a North Texas timeout. The Shocker lead held steady as Wichita State took the set 25-19 to tie the match 1-1 headed into intermission.
Set three was back and forth, with 10 ties and five lead changes. Neither team held a lead of more than three points in the set. With the score tied at 24, UNT scored back-to-back points to claim the set 26-24.
The Mean Green won six of the first seven points in set four. The Shockers rallied but could not draw closer than three points the rest of the way as North Texas claimed the set and the match with a 25-19 final score.
Weitkemper led the way for the Shockers with 16 kills.
Maddie Wilson was close behind with 14 and led the team with a .480 hitting percentage.
Wichita State returns to action on Sunday for another American Conference matchup against Florida Atlantic. The game is set for a noon start inside Koch Arena.
