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 volleyball coach Chris Lamb gives us his perspective on spring practices and scrimmages. We get into how Emerson Wilford’s role will increase and why her talents remind Lamb of former Shocker Emily Adney. He breaks down how he thinks Sarah Barham, a transfer from Wofford, and returner Morgan Stout will give the Shockers strong blocking in the middle next fall. Point-scoring is a big question on Lamb’s mind, so he discusses sophomore Maddie Wilson and her versatility as an attacker. To wrap up, Lamb talks about how Shocker coaches are using the transfer portal.
Assistant coaches Katie Zimmerman and Ashleigh Houlton update us on spring volleyball practices. We look back at the NIVC title and how the trip to El Paso motivated the Shockers. We discuss newcomers Sarah Musial, a freshman setter, and outside Alyssa Gonzales, a transfer from TCU. We dive into Morgan Stout’s improvement in 2023, what’s ahead for Emerson Wilford and candidates to break into regular playing time in 2024. We wrap up with a conversation about favorite coffee places in Wichita and coach Chris Lamb’s regular order at Fairmount Coffee Co.
Wichita State senior left Brylee Kelly talks about her six years as a Shocker and why her affection for the program and coach Chris Lamb made it the right choice to stay. She details the ups and downs of her senior season and her advice for young athletes. We also discuss what former Shocker Mikaela Raudsepp said that convinced Kelly to choose Wichita State and how teammates Morgan Stout and Katie Galligan made big moves this season.
Morgan Weber and Gabi Maas get us set up for the AAC title chase by discussing why the back row is so effective, the importance of splitting at SMU and the personality required to play libero. Weber reveals who she inherited her love of shoes from and her favorites. Maas tells us why she is excited for the mail to arrive. We wrap up with advice for high school athletes and how they can lock in on what’s important in a college experience.
Wichita State’s Morgan Stout and Sophia Rohling stop by to chat about a big weekend in Illinois, the stellar play of the back row and how setter Izzi Strand is boosting the offense. We discuss “Smoothie Queen,” and “Mama Bear” and how those nicknames relate to Shocker volleyball. Also, what’s a protagonist? The Shockers play Kansas and Colorado this week at Koch Arena.
Wichita State volleyball coach Chris Lamb updates fans on spring practices, how his newcomers are fitting in, Morgan Stout’s busy spring in the middle and why he compares scheduling to baking an apple pie with the proper ingredients.
Wichita State center fielder Lauren Lucas and catcher Lainee Brown talk about last weekend’s series win at UCF and the elements that make that rivalry matter. We discuss the upside of national rankings, who they text after a big game and which Shockers give positive energy. We also break down Brown’s offensive surge, how Lucas deals with catches at the wall and the potential for a 2023 “Give me your best impression of Coach E” video.
