The RoundHouse | 8/21/2026 10:58:00 AM

By Paul Suellentrop

 

Three Wichita State volleyball sophomores are, perhaps earlier than expected, very much needed to punch up scoring.
 
The door is open for outside hitters Jenna Cubbage and Olivia Cohee and McKenzie Jones, playing both pin positions, to take on significant roles. Season-ending injuries robbed coach Chris Lamb of returner Sydney Dunning, a second-team American All-Conference pick in 2025, and newcomers Niya Lewis, a transfer from Mississippi, and middle Trinity Luckett, a transfer from Missouri.
 
Wichita State plays Kansas City in an exhibition match at 1 p.m., Saturday at Koch Arena. The Shockers, 19-11 last season, are picked fourth in the American Conference. WSU opens the regular season vs. Stephen F. Austin at 6 p.m., Aug. 28 (ESPN+) to start the Shocker Volleyball Classic.
 
For the sophomore trio, each match is a chance to show they can grab more scoring duties this season.
 
"Last year, we were the youngest outsides, and now we're the oldest," Cohee said. "It feels more of a responsibility that we have to lead the younger girls and that this team does need point scorers, so we have to take on that role."
 
Jones made the biggest contribution as a freshman by playing in 16 of 30 matches and recording 67 kills with a .215 attack percentage. She recorded a season-high 11 kills, with a .281 attack percentage, in a five-set loss at Rice.
 
"McKenzie Jones has all the talent she needs," Lamb said. "If we can organize and get her what she needs, she is the kind of talent to be all-conference. You've got to be good most nights to do that."

 

Cubbage played in eight matches and totaled 30 kills. Improving her skills in serve-receive and her attack variety are important as she works for a bigger role. At Omaha, she said tips and roll shots helped her move the scoreboard. However, it is also important to avoid attack errors by knowing when to keep the ball in play.
 
"The line shot, the undershot, and the deep corner," she said. "We knew we were going to start (at Omaha), so obviously we carry a bigger load because of that. It's finding a good balance and playing mature and smart volleyball."
 
Cohee played in six matches and totaled 16 kills. Improved physical ability, she said, is part of the transition to sophomore production.
 
"We really worked on the weight room, getting stronger," she said. "I'm definitely jumping higher."
 
The tools are there for to be effective American Conference attackers, Lamb said. Cohee's maturity leads Lamb to see strong leadership potential. Both are working on their passing skills to help the Shockers in the back row.
 
"(Olivia) is incapable of the wrong thing coming out of her mouth," Lamb said. "I would like her to be a nonstop talker to our team. Jenna has the talent. Olivia Cohee has the know-how. I'd like them to quickly ascend through the conference."
 
The rise of Wichita State's offense will likely depend on those sophomores improving throughout the season.
 
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.