Twenty-one games, 15 conference wins and now a number one seed in the conference tournament.

The Shocker women keep making history.

And by Sunday, they hope to have won the program’s first conference tournament title.

Wichita State coach Jody Adams knew the first day she arrived at WSU that building a winner takes time.

Adams recruited versatile and athletic players, demanded defensive intensity and got on to everybody from the stars to the bench players.

It took some time, but now Adams is reaping the benefits of the time she put into WSU.

One of them came in the form of a regular season Missouri Valley Conference Title, the first in Shocker women’s history.

“I think it’s pretty surreal. The one thing I can say is that I’m pretty proud of the student athletes that we have here. They made a lot of change, they made a lot of commitment,” Adams said.

The official announcement for MVC Coach of the Year won’t be made until Friday, but it is speculated that the winner will be Adams.

“I’m blessed. I have a wonderful coaching staff and I definitely couldn’t do that without them and I have players that are coachable,” Adams said.

Guards Jessica Diamond and Alex Harden were named to the All-MVC First Team. Diamond is currently seventh on WSU’s all-time scoring list. Alex Harden averaged 13.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists this season.

“When I first came here we were at the bottom and to finally see our hard work pay off, it makes it that much sweeter,” Diamond said.

Diamond missed the final two regular season games due to injury. But swingman Michaela Dapprich took the offensive load, scoring a career high 22 points against Indiana State and 17 points against Missouri State.

“I knew I had to step up my game and do my role,” Dapprich said. “So I did everything I could for the seniors. That’s why I’m playing now— I’m giving it my all for them.”

The Shockers will play the winner of today’s Missouri State-Drake game on Friday.

Drake left a bitter taste in the mouth of WSU, knocking them out in the second round of the tournament last year.

“It was heartbreaking because we had our eyes set on winning the tournament. It was like a slap in our face because we lost to a team we beat twice,” Harden said. “It fueled this year us more toward conference.

“It’s a nice feeling. It let’s you know that you’re respected around the conference like your work does pay off,” Harden said.

Everyone in the conference also recognized Harden for her defense, nominating her for a spot on the All-Defensive Team.

Harden makes a living on defense with her versatility. She’s quick enough to check smaller guards and big enough to defend bigger more physical players. 

“I always thought defense before offense because you don’t win the game on the offensive end—you win by getting stops,” Harden said.