Wichita State Volleyball Shines in Victory Against UAB
In an exciting match this past weekend, the Wichita State Shockers showcased their skills on the volleyball court by defeating the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) with a solid score of 3-1. This win marked their second triumph over UAB this season, further improving their overall record to 12-10 and standing at 7-3 in the American Athletic Conference.
A Career-Defining Performance
Senior middle blocker Morgan Stout had a night to remember. She racked up an impressive 22 kills, setting a new career high and playing a pivotal role in the Shockers’ offensive strategy. Head coach Chris Lamb pointed out, “28 of our … 72 points come from the middle. It’s hard to have middles carry your team offensively in front of the center. That takes a lot of good (for it) to happen that way.” This strong performance helped set the tone for the rest of the match.
Close Call in Sets One and Two
The match kicked off with both teams engaged in a closely contested first set. UAB called for three challenges, resembling their strategy from a previous game against Memphis. Much to their credit, the Blazers won two of those challenges. The set was filled with back-and-forth action, with Stout leading the charge for Wichita State with six kills. A tie at 16-16 came after an attack error by the Blazers, and despite UAB taking set point first at 24-23, the Shockers capitalized on some crucial mistakes by their opponents to clinch the set, with Emerson Wilford delivering the final blow with a decisive kill.
Unfortunately for the Shockers, the second set was a bit rocky. UAB’s strong plays led to an onslaught of errors from the Shockers, including eight attack errors. This set would ultimately go to UAB, thanks to a double-hit error by the Shockers, followed by a crucial kill that tipped the scales in UAB’s favor.
The Turning Point
As the third set began, UAB took an early lead of 4-2. However, the Shockers quickly rallied, going on a 4-0 run to turn the tide. But just as the momentum seemed to shift, UAB responded with a 7-0 run. The sets were a game of ping-pong, always keeping fans on the edge of their seats. However, key players like Brooklyn Leggett and Sarah Barham provided necessary support, making the game a lot more colorful. Stout’s final powerful slam in the third set ensured Wichita State regained control, winning that set convincingly.
Sealing the Victory
The fourth set was an exhilarating display of teamwork, beginning with an ace from freshman libero Annalie Heliste. It seemed as if the Shockers were charged up and ready to finish strong, as they jumped to a quick 6-1 lead. UAB fought back but couldn’t quite close the gap, consistently trailing as Wichita State maintained their lead. The game concluded with what can only be described as a *buzzer-beater* service error from UAB, sealing Wichita State’s win.
Stout’s final stats showed she hit an impressive .450 for the match, attributing her success to her setter, Izzi Strand. “Izzi’s location today was so good with us middles,” Stout said. “The outsides, I think they were kind of camping on them. So I really opened up more gaps for Sarah.” Strand had a stellar performance as well, registering a team-high of 44 assists.
Next Up for the Shockers
Following this thrilling victory, the Wichita State volleyball team is set to hit the road. Their next match will be against the University of Tulsa on Friday, November 1st. Fans are excited to see if the Shockers will carry their winning momentum into this next contest, scheduled for a 6 p.m. start.
