Before Friday’s volleyball game, Zach Brown wished his sister good luck. After Friday’s volleyball game, Tabitha Brown wished her brother good luck.

Zach and Tabitha are siblings. Each one has an athletic scholarship at Wichita State.

Zach is a junior forward for the men’s basketball team, and Tabitha is a sophomore outside-hitter for the volleyball team.

On Friday, Koch Arena was set up for a double-header with the volleyball team playing a few hours before the start of the men’s basketball game.

With her brother and parents in the crowd, Tabitha excelled with a career-high 20 kills and four blocks against Illinois State. WSU won the match 3-1.

“They give me a lot more confidence and a lot more comfort just seeing them,” Tabitha said.

Zach said he enjoyed watching his sister achieve career numbers. He hoped to carry that confidence into his own game. He said does not take for granted having Tabitha with him at WSU.

“A lot of people wish that they could have their brother or sister with them. I’m very happy that she’s here with me,” Zach said.

He said it’s an incredible process to be able to see Tabitha progress.

“I feel amazing that I am able to watch her grow every single day, not only into an excellent volleyball player, but into a beautiful woman,” Zach said.

Tabitha played for the University of Alabama her freshman year before transferring to WSU.

The transfer made life easier for her, she said. It brought her family together, and they would agree, this helped.

“We are excited about both of them being here, and of course it’s easier on us too as parents to be able to go and see them,” Latisha Brown, their mother, said. “When Tabitha was on the other side of the country we had to travel that way then come back and see Zachary and it was a little bit rough on us.”

Tabitha made the decision to transfer on her own. Latisha said what is important for her is to see her children doing what they love.

“It’s great having them both at Wichita State and both being successful and enjoying playing here,” Latisha said. “They love everything about it and that’s what’s important to us is that they’re happy.”

Their father Gary thinks that team chemistry plays a big role in success. He said head volleyball coach Chris Lamb manages the team well.

“You can’t underestimate chemistry,” Gary said. “It’s a big factor in success and I know for sure that Coach Lamb brings out the best in Tabitha. We’re real excited about her future here with the Shockers.”

Ultimately it’s family first for the Brown family. They support each other in every aspect.

“I know how much they love seeing us and how much we love seeing them,” Tabitha said. “Our parents are going to be supportive no matter what we do.”