Senior night for the Wichita State volleyball team led to a bittersweet evening for the Shockers, but a 3-0 match win over Drake made it more on the sweet side.

Seniors Emily Adney and Jackie Church were honored during their last WSU game at Charles Koch Arena.

Coming off a loss against Creighton the night before, the Shockers had some mental elements to overcome. Despite their lowered spirits, WSU defeated Drake for the 10th year in a row, 25-16, 25-20 and 25-21. 

“These guys took an emotional hit last night. They had an opportunity to make RPI-magic happen and it got away,” coach Chris Lamb said. “And we had to turn around and play tonight.” 

“Last night’s game was really long and intense,” Adney said. “I think that we were all mentally tired and physically tired and so I think we started out a little shaky, but we settled into it. But the most important thing is that we got the win. That’s all that matters.”

The Shockers battled the Bulldogs in the first set, coming to 10-10. Junior Elizabeth Field and junior Chelsey Feekin were an unbreakable duo, pushing WSU ahead to win. The second set involved a point rally with neither team breaking more than a one-point lead over the other until the Shockers pulled through for a second win. 

Set number three would prove the most difficult for the Shockers when Drake took an 18-14 lead. However, with some heavy teamwork and Adney’s kill, the ladies would tie the game at 20. Thanks to a Drake error, WSU took the lead 21-20 and finished the match before Drake could take control and push them into a fourth set.

“That third set win was huge,” Field said. “If it had gone to a fourth set, you’d question people’s mental stability, physical after that five set match last night, you start to wear down.”

“It’s hard to recover from those, but you have to remember that it’s another day you’re playing volleyball in an arena full of your fans,” Church said. “I’m so happy I get to celebrate a great night with my team. I couldn’t ask for another group of girls to be with.”

Field had a total of 15 kills for the match and Feekin had eight assists. Freshman Ashlyn Driskell also proved to be a key element with her total of nine kills. 

Season play at Koch Arena ended for the Shocker volleyball team, and the seniors have a great career to look back on, as well as the memories of the support they received from their fans. 

“The emotion after a long rally, after it’s over, that’s the reason—the cheers, that’s the reason why you play volleyball,” Church said. “It’s the crowd, it’s those moments you can never replace.”

“To be in front of that many people and have people to support you like that, that’s amazing,” Adney said. 

The Shockers will be playing in the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament on Thursday in Springfield, Mo.