Shockers end season with loss, losing record
Wichita State’s Head Coach, Chris Lamb, prepares for a time-out during their game against Tulsa on Wednesday evening at Koch Arena.
Wichita State’s season didn’t end the way they thought it would end.
Despite sweeping the Mean Green 3-0 earlier this season, the Shockers fell to North Texas 3-1 on Saturday.
“We had too many mistakes,” Head Coach Chris Lamb said. “No matter who we schedule in non-conference, or play in conference play, you won’t be rewarded with wins with that many unforced errors.”
Wichita State’s Abby Pugh and Brooke Smith double block an attack from North Texas’ Barbara Teakell at their game in Koch Arena on November 24.
WSU, who was originally picked to win the conference, finished the season four games behind .500. They finished seventh in the conference standings. The team lost five out of their final six games of the season.
Throughout the rest of the match, Lamb could be heard telling his girls, “we got this, we can win this thing.”
“I felt a lot of deflation,” Lamb said. “I don’t know where the battery power is. It’s been hard, and it seems like the only thing that motivates us is the scoreboard.”
Even with the woes, there was positives from the season finale.
Wichita State reserves celebrate at the end of a close game against Tulsa on Nov. 21, 2018 at Koch Area.
Sophomore Regan Stiawalt, who has broken out in the second half of the season, had another eye-opening game for Wichita State. She recorded 16 kills on 43 attempts and had six digs as well.
“Regan (Stiawalt) has always had the athleticism to play, and this is that right level for her,” Lamb said. “This is where she belongs. Injuries have kept her from being in long stretches, but she’s healthy and I’m happy to say that she’s flourishing right now.”
Wichita State players wait for the last review at the end of a close game against Tulsa on Nov. 21, 2018 at Koch Area.
Tabitha Brown, who might have played her final game in Koch Arena, tallied a team-high 18 kills on 38 attempts. She also recorded 10 digs, giving her a double-double. Earlier that day, Brown and the Shockers received news that the NCAA will grant her another year of eligibility.
Brown is undecided whether or not she will continue her volleyball career next season.
“Of course, I love my teammates,” Brown said. “We have a very close program, and what we got out of this season is that we didn’t execute. Saying that, a lot of us will know what to do this time next year to have that success.”
Wichita State junior Jordan Roberts digs the ball during the game against North Texas.
“We know what we need to work on in order to turn it around and be successful next season,” Stiawalt said.
Marshall Sunner was the sports editor for The Sunflower. Sunner majored in communications with a journalism emphasis. He was born and raised in Hutchinson,...
Khanh Nguyen was the photo editor for The Sunflower. Born and raised in Vietnam, Khanh started his journey in the U.S. at 16 years old as an exchange student...
Selena Favela is a former photo editor for The Sunflower. She majored in graphic design. She is from Wichita, Kansas.
Easton Thompson was a photographer for The Sunflower. Thompson majored in communication with an emphasis on electronic media. He is from Wichita, Kansas.
