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Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Wichita State's independent, student-run news source

The Sunflower

Senior forward Ornella Niankan attempts a contested layup in the second quarter against Missouri State. The Shockers lost, 82-77.

Poor second quarter dooms women’s basketball to loss against Missouri State

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor November 13, 2024

It was a tale of two halves offensively for Wichita State women’s basketball against Missouri State University (MSU). The Shockers came alive in the second half on Wednesday night, but a 13-point...

Gabi Maas claps while holding her clipboard during a volleyball game. (Photo by Skylar Kade, courtesy of Wichita State Athletics)

After an injury, Gabi Maas thought her volleyball career was over. Instead, she might come back even better.

Owen Prothro, Assistant Sports Editor November 13, 2024

May 14, 2024, was another day of volleyball practice for Gabi Maas. But the trajectory for Wichita State’s starting libero’s junior season plummeted in an instant. During a drill, Maas jumped up...

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AAC men’s basketball power rankings, week one: Who’s hot and who’s not to open the season

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor November 11, 2024

Week one of the 2024-25 college basketball season is in the books, and with it, we’ve seen a first look at an American Athletic Conference (AAC) with a ton of roster turnover among most of its teams. Here...

Brooklyn Leggett and her teammates celebrate after scoring a point in the third set on Oct. 6. Wichita State took the third set against Rice 25-22.

Volleyball spoils Tulane’s senior day with a sweep

Mack Smith, Reporter November 10, 2024

Wichita State volleyball was able to secure their third sweep of the year on Sunday afternoon. The Shockers beat Tulane University on the road, 3-0 (25-22), (25-19), (25-21). The Shockers spoiled the...

Jocelyn Mallonee, a piccolo flute player, holds up a sign after Wichita State's men's basketball team scored a 3-pointer. Mallonee is a member of the Shocker Sound Machine and has been performing at WSU home basketball games since 2021.

Shocker Sound Machine brings spirit, traditions to home games

Allison Campbell, Editor-in-Chief November 10, 2024

Bags of rice, old copies of The Sunflower, a rendition of “The Wheels on the Bus,” and a rallying war cry. These are just some traditions you might see or hear in action at a Wichita State basketball...

Redshirt senior guard Harlond Beverly throws down  a alley-oop at the end of the first half. The Shockers were up 46-31 at the half.

Men’s basketball routs Montana State in home opener

Owen Prothro, Assistant Sports Editor November 9, 2024

Coming into its game against Wichita State’s men’s basketball team, Montana State University (MSU) made 46% of its 3-pointers. But the Shockers held the Bobcats to 28% from beyond the arc on Saturday...

Sophomore guard Salese Blow goes for a layup against a Belmont defender. Blow scored a team-leading 16 points on Nov. 9.

Women’s basketball meets wall against Belmont

Evan Tong, Reporter November 9, 2024

Wichita State women’s basketball faced their first Division I opponent of the season, Belmont University, on Saturday afternoon, marking their third straight home game. The Shockers lost their...

Setter Izzi Strand passes the ball to a teammate during the first set on Oct. 6. Wichita State lost against Rice, 3-2.

Volleyball narrowly loses second heartbreaker of the season to Rice

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor November 8, 2024

Wichita State and Rice University are about as evenly matched as two volleyball teams can be — but so far this season, the Owls have the Shockers’ number. When the teams met on Oct. 6 in Charles...

Todd Schwartz sets up a tripod in the stands in front of the pep band at Charles Koch Arena. Schwartz said he typically arrives three hours before a game to set up.

Behind the scenes of ESPN+ at Wichita State — the Black Fox Crew

Taliyah Winn, Podcast Editor November 8, 2024

While viewers tune into basketball games on ESPN+, business owner Todd Schwartz leads the team that produces the broadcast to viewers around the country. Schwartz is the owner and president of Black...

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Despite injury, basketball’s Fiona Diomande builds relationships with teammates

Evan Tong, Reporter November 7, 2024

A torn ACL has sidelined freshman guard Fiona Diomande for the season, but it hasn’t stopped her from meeting her Wichita State teammates.  Arriving in mid-July from Paris, Diomande didn’t have...

Zion Pipkin, a freshman, jumps to shoot a basket in the second half. Pipkin scored nine points during his 15 minutes of play time on Oct. 27.

Relentless Zion Pipkin seeks to make an impact in a crowded Wichita State guard room

Evan Tong, Reporter November 7, 2024

One of the key cogs added to the Wichita State men’s basketball team this year is freshman guard Zion Pipkin from Houston, Texas. Pipkin will have to fight for a rotation spot among eight other Shocker...

Junior Jasmine Peaks looks to pass the ball on Oct. 30. Peaks is a transfer from Indian River State College in Florida.

Four women’s basketball junior college transfers bring a ‘chip on their shoulder’ to WSU

Jacob Unruh, Sports Editor November 7, 2024

Coming off a year where the team finished 13th in the American Athletic Conference, Wichita State women’s basketball coach Terry Nooner said he was looking for players with “chips on their shoulders”...

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