The RoundHouse | 8/29/2026 7:13:00 AM
By
Paul Suellentrop
Chris Lamb is willing to hand over the key to his house, the contents of his refrigerator and, most important, a prime speaking role on his volleyball team, to
Olivia Cohee.
"She's wise beyond her years with volleyball I.Q., and a great control player," Lamb said. "I don't know if we can pull her out all year. She's too steady. She defends well. She passes well."
Cohen, a sophomore from McKinney, Texas, showed why Lamb likes her stepping into the role of six-rotation outside hitter in Friday's season-opener at Koch Arena. The Shockers swept Stephen F. Austin (25-16, 25-23, 26-24) with Cohee contributing 10 kills, 10 digs and three blocks.
WSU continues in the Shocker Volleyball Classic against Idaho State at 6 p.m., Saturday and Missouri State at noon, Sunday.
Fellow sophomore
Jenna Cubbage also recorded 10 kills. Right
Elinor Engel, who played middle blocker last season, added seven kills and hit .375. Right-side
McKenzie Jones had eight kills.
WSU (1-0) handled Stephen F. Austin (0-2) with a strong defensive effort. The Shockers held the Lumberjacks, the Southland Conference favorite, to an .96 attack percentage.
Maddie Wilson's six blocks led an effort that consistently forced SFA to take risky swings or hit into the block.
Lamb expected certain skills to pop for Cohee, who played in six matches as a freshman. With
Sydney Dunning out with an injury and the graduation of
Emerson Wilford and
Brooklyn Leggett, he needs points on the pins.
"I feel like I finally belong here," Cohee said. "Not that I didn't last year, but I do have a role now being the oldest outside. That responsibility is my duty."
Cohee's 10 kills on 22 swings puts her at a 45-percent rate. She performed similarly in WSU's two exhibition matches, a scoring rate that Lamb wants.
"My question was 'Could she score,'" Lamb said. "For Olivia to have her debut as a starter at 45-percent kills against a good team – that says a lot."
Cohee spent the off-season getting stronger and quicker. Lamb said that athletic ability shows up with an improved scoring range, especially on balls near the net.
\ "She's such a talented and intelligent player," setter
Jordan Heatherly said. "To see her become a confident player on her team has been awesome to watch. We all have a lot of trust in her."
Lamb wants Cohee leverage that respect from teammates by taking more leadership. He wants to hear her voice more often in practice and the locker room. The invitation to get comfortable in those roles is open.
She's not just a house guest, in Lamb's description. She is the guest with license to check out the contents of the refrigerator and help herself.
"You need to be a leader on this team," Lamb said he told her. "And I hope you don't feel like it's your house as a senior. Make this your home and start directing traffic."
Cohee is working her way into that role.
"They almost want me to be meaner," she said. "I'm not a very mean person and I don't lead by voice. My actions lead more. With this team, I think it's very easy. We're all likeable. It's an easy role to step into."
Cohee's voice will mean more if she continues to register those type of well-rounded performances.
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.
