Wichita State’s Salese Blow joins the podcast to talk about following up on standout freshman season. She discusses the origins of her nickname, why she stuck with WSU after a coaching change, and her impressions of freshman KP Parr as defensive pest. We also dive into her basketball family and how it goes when she critiques her mom’s work as a college and NBA G League referee.
Wichita State pitchers Nick Potter and James Umbarger give us a look into their first months at a new university and new baseball program. They talk about their roots in baseball and their journey to Wichita State. Both are former catchers, so we discuss how playing that position helps them on the mound. They reveal their best days fishing and Potter shares his story about the bass that escaped. Potter is a transfer from Crowder (Mo.) College. Umbarger is a freshman from Lansing High School.
Wichita State outfielder Lauren Lucas and first baseman Cam Compton update us on fall practices and their rebound seasons after injuries sidelined both in 2024. They talk about staying engaged as unofficial hitting coaches last spring and how they leaned on teammates and family while out of uniform. They discuss outfielder Ellee Eck, one of the newcomers making a strong impression this fall, and freshman Ava Sliger. We also dive into growing up in a family of athletes, restaurants in Southeast Kansas and their advice for the younger Shockers.
In a bonus episode, we talk with former Arizona coach Dave Rubio about Shocker volleyball coach Chris Lamb and his coaching roots. Lamb, entering his 25th season at Wichita State, met Rubio as a club coach in California and formed a friendship. Lamb coached as an assistant under Rubio for two seasons at Arizona before taking the job at WSU in 1999. We talk about Lamb’s love of statistics, why he chose to start his coaching career at Wichita State and why other jobs didn’t lure him away. Rubio discusses how his mentorship helped guide Lamb, why he compares Lamb to Tom Landry and how he adopted some of Lamb’s”birdbrain ideas.” We also dig into their shared love of cars and the coaching text thread filled with volleyball discussions.
Voice of the Shockers Mike Kennedy and Tami Cutler, of strategic communications, join the podcast to reminisce about volleyball coach Chris Lamb as he enters his 25th season at Wichita State. We discuss Lamb’s passion for teaching the sport, educating fans and using baseball analogies. We talk about the first NCAA team in 2004, the 2017 AAC champions and NCAA hosts and why Lamb possessed the ability to turn Shocker volleyball into a force. Mike and Tami go through some of their favorite teams and do their best to pick their All-Lambo lineups. The Shockers open their home schedule vs. Cal Poly on Thursday in the Shocker Volleyball Classic.
Coach Kristi Bredbenner helps us celebrate ground-breaking on the indoor practice facility at Wilkins Stadium (10:30 a.m., Sept 14) with a description of the new building, why it is needed and the timeline for construction. We also talk about the rise in softball’s popularity and how WSU’s success set the groundwork for fundraising. Bredbenner updates us on fall practices, Lauren Lucas’ return and newcomers to watch. We also remember Phyllis Diller’s appearance at Wilkins Stadium’s groundbreaking in 1997 and muse about possible celebrity appearances on Saturday. The Shockers open their fall scrimmages against McLennan (Texas) Community College at 1 p.m. Saturday. How to donate.
Wichita State volleyball assistant coaches Katie Zimmerman and Ashleigh Houlton join the podcast to preview the season. We talk about the scrimmage against Kansas State, their thoughts on the AAC adopting a conference tournament and the rule change on double hits. We also discuss newcomer Sarah Barham and her play as a middle blocker, Emerson Wilford’s increasing role in the offense and Morgan Stout’s rise as a scorer in the middle. The Shockers open the season on Friday at Kennesaw State. Their first home match is on Sept. 19 vs. Cal Poly to open the Shocker Volleyball Classic.
Wichita State forward Ronnie DeGray III joins us to break down summer workouts and two of the newcomers who popped in his eyes. He discusses his late-season surge in 2024 and how coach Paul Mills boosted his confidence. DeGray also talks about how his father influenced his basketball career, why he wears No. 3 at Wichita State and his career goals in an NBA front office.
Matej Bosnjak, a 6-foot-9 center from Croatia, joins the podcast to talk about his home country, his favorite food and his passion for soccer club Hajduk Split and the Green Bay Packers. Bosnjak discusses choosing Wichita State, his adjustment to the United States and why he wears No. 17 for the Shockers.
Women’s basketball coach Terry Nooner updates fans on summer practices and the exhibition tour of the Virgin Islands. We talk about adding athletic ability and height to the roster and his desire to play faster. We discuss his options to play point guard, Taylor Jameson’s energy at practice and Jayla Murray’s hard work since last season. Nooner also describes summer activities such as financial literacy training and plans for assistant coach Antwain Scales to teach about car maintenance.
