When it comes to the sports fan, Fall means football—at least in my experience. 

Every member of my household supports a different NFL and college football team. By the end of the season we live in a literal war zone, and wear nothing but the dominant color of our team of choice; trust me, it was a bad idea to become a Dolphins fan.

Anyone as passionate about football as my family is—which I have faith that someone out there understands—or even the casual football watcher, might be disappointed to find that Wichita State is football-less. 

I must admit, spending my Saturdays in the Fall watching every other college’s football team except my own play was an initial disappointment, but I’ve since changed my mind. What brought upon this new outlook? Volleyball.

WSU’s volleyball program fills the football void in about every way possible. Not only are the games exciting, and the players passionate, but the team is, well, good. Last season the team finished with a 21-11 record, finished third place in the Missouri Valley Conference and earned an at-large berth to the NCAA tournament. 

Coach Chris Lamb has led the Shockers to nine straight 20-win seasons, five straight NCAA Tournament appearances and 10 straight MVC Tournament appearances. In 2004, Lamb and the Shocker volleyball team made school history by becoming MVC regular season champions as well as MVC Tournament champions. They’ve continued to stay a top team in the MVC every season since.

Although WSU placed third in preseason polls in the MVC this season—a decision myself, the rest of the sports staff and the seniors on the volleyball team agree must have been a mistake—Shockers Emily Adney and Ashley Andrade both made the preseason All-Conference team. 

Adney received tons of honors last season including first team all-MVC, honorable mention all-region and MVC all-tournament team. Andrade finished last season with 229 kills, 23 service aces, 66 digs and 106 block assists. 

Haven’t convinced you yet? Well, after defeating 14-ranked Colorado State and 22-ranked Oklahoma last season, the team convinced BYU and Tennessee to make the trip to Wichita this year. Colorado State will travel to WSU for a rematch as well.

Yet, I’m sure I’ll hear at least one comment this semester attempting to persuade someone that WSU needs a football program. But forget football, WSU volleyball is all this school needs for a Fall team sport. Not to mention, all of the girls on the team look like super models.