Coach Chris Lamb joins the podcast to wrap up spring practices. He discusses what the Shockers learned from scrimmages against schools such as Kansas, Colorado State, Kansas State and Oklahoma. He talks about experimenting with middle Natalie Foster, Sophie Childs’ progress and Brylee Kelly’s growth in the back row. We wrap up by talking about the hungry attitude he wants to see from the Shockers in the fall.
The topic is spring volleyball, in which the Shockers are doing their typical experimenting and polishing. Associate head coach Sean Carter updates the goal of growing into the best defensive team in the American Athletic Conference, Brylee Kelly’s work as a six-rotation player and Natalie Foster’s changing roles. We talk about the chemistry that helped last season’s success and the mindset that coaches want to see from the Shockers in the fall. On Aprll 9, the Shockers play at Koch Arena with Air Force, Missouri State, Oklahoma and Tulsa scheduled to participate.
Vlad Bondarchuk (Bonder-chook) is in his second year as student manager for the Wichita State volleyball team. He grew up in Smila, a Ukranian city of around 66,000 in the Central region of the country. Vlad joins the podcast to talk about the Russian invasion, how he is handling this difficult time with friends and family in peril and how people can help refugees. You can donate by contacting Vlad at vlad.bon21@gmail.com.
Wichita State wraps up the season with two matches this week. Liberos Lily Liekweg, Bryn Stansberry and Annalie Heliste join the podcast to discuss this season’s success, communication in the back row and the depth of Chris Lamb scouting reports. We talk about what it takes to earn your goggles in their group, spider webs and favorite Thanksgiving tradition.
Voice of the Shockers Mike Kennedy joins us to discuss Wichita State’s volleyball win streak, the start of basketball season and the additions to the American Athletic Conference. He talks about the effectiveness of Shocker middles Natalie Foster and Morgan Stout, what he likes about basketball newcomers Joe Pleasant, Qua Grant and Kenny Pohto and the upside of new conference members such as North Texas, Rice and Charlotte.
Associate head coach Sean Carter gets us started on the 2021 season with his thoughts on a strong group of setters, the possible return to the 5-1 system and the potential at libero and defensive specialist that a 5-1 would highlight. Carter describes the American Athletic Conference race, Sophia Rohling’s next steps after an all-conference season and the depth at middle blocker.
The Shockers face SMU this weekend at Koch Arena and associate head coach Sean Carter discusses his team’s 7-0 start. We talk about the chemistry and energy returning to the Shockers, the competition at libero and why Nicole Anderson’s volleyball IQ can help her act as a coach on the floor. Carter also discusses how teams are defending Wichita State’s middles and why he will remember senior Brooke Smith as the ultimate teammate.
Seniors Emma Wright (volleyball) and Marta Bellucco (women’s tennis) are two of the leaders for Wichita State’s diversity and inclusion outreach. They discuss their motivation for getting involved in the athletic department’s educational efforts and what they’ve learned about navigating the discussions that issues such as social justice, race, cultural differences and sexuality bring about.
Chelsea Scott breaks down fall volleyball practices for the Shockers and gives us a look at how the libero and setter spots might look in the spring. She talks about her Giants and 49ers favorites and her journey from playing libero at an NCAA Division II school in California to volunteer assistant and now full-time at Wichita State.
Shocker volleyball scrimmaged Saturday and associate head coach Sean Carter joins the podcast with his impressions of the action. Brylee Kelly continued her strong fall and several freshmen played well. Carter details about how the program is handling the pandemic, the candidates to take over at libero and his best and worst birthday presents.
