The RoundHouse | 8/31/2026 9:25:00 AM
By
Paul Suellentrop
Wichita State coach
Chris Lamb called Sunday the career game for middle blocker
Maddie Wilson.
Wilson recorded 14 kills with no errors to hit .667 and added five blocks and six digs in a sweep of Missouri State (25-23, 25-22, 25-16) at Koch Arena to wrap up the Shocker Volleyball Classic. Throughout the match, her quickness and power at the net derailed Missouri State's scoring and gave the Shockers a consistent threat. She swung the second set with two kills and a block-assist to help the Shockers break a 21-all tie.
While her performance certainly stood out, Wilson did not hit career highs in any of those statistics. The three-set numbers didn't elevate her game, the circumstances did.
Wilson delivered when the Shockers depended on her. No
Brooklyn Leggett,
Sydney Dunning or Morgan Stout loomed to attract the attention of blockers. Wilson, a fifth-year from Colorado Springs, is the most experienced Shocker attacker by far.
After Saturday's 3-1 loss to Idaho State, she played the leading role in the bounce back.
"That's a first-team all-conference performer," Lamb said.
Sunday's numbers started by getting the ball to Wilson more often and in a direct manner. After taking 13 and 18 swings, Wilson took 21 against Missouri State (1-2), most on quick sets that allowed her and setter
Jordan Heatherly to find gaps between blockers.
"We go with what we are best at," Wilson said. "It's being up fast and early. (Heatherly) sees me and I'm there for her."
The no-frills approach worked. Sometimes, Lamb said, he is tempted to try to get too much out of Wilson.
"We kept it pretty simple," he said. "We may not be able to always get away with that. She got to react. She didn't have to over-think anything. Routes were consistent. Her and Jordan got comfortable. That was a career performance for Maddie."
Before Sunday's match, Wilson told the Shockers (2-1) that Missouri State watched Saturday's 3-1 loss to Idaho. WSU won the first set 25-9 before losing the next three and hitting .149 for the match.
"We can't let them come in and expect to destroy us," Wilson said. "We have to bounce back."
Lamb saw the weekend as a predictable outcome for the first matches of the season. While his setter and liberos are experienced, the attackers, outside of Wilson, are either inexperienced or moving into new roles. The Shockers swept Stephen F. Austin and Missouri State. Missouri State swept Idaho State for its lone win. Stephen F. Austin defeated Missouri State 3-2 for its lone win. Idaho State went 2-1 to match the Shockers.
"I've just got to keep everybody's heads on straight," Lamb said. "Everybody always says it's a learning curve, but it's a jagged curve."
The learning curve also went up for sophomore
McKenzie Jones. She hit .400 with 11 kills and one error, plus four digs and three blocks. She leads the Shockers with 33 kills and is hitting .319 for the season.
"The sky is the limit for
McKenzie Jones," Lamb said. "I think she can be a six-rotation player. She can do anything she wants on a volleyball court. It takes time to coach it up and learn it. She can get there."
After the first weekend, Lamb knows that the Shockers both need time to learn and can get where they want to go by season's end.
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.
