WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State rallied in thrilling fashion to defeat No. 22 Oklahoma, 3-2, in the Shockers' home opener at Charles Koch Arena Wednesday. The Shockers lost the first two sets before winning the final three by scores of, 25-27, 23-25, 25-18, 29-27 and 15-13.
Emily Adney led the Shockers with 22 kills. Mary Elizabeth Hooper paced all players with 64 assists and Sarah Waldorf led the Shockers with 33 digs.
The first set was a back-and-forth affair that featured lengthy rallies and 11 ties. The Shockers (5-4) got off to a slow start falling behind, 7-11, before grabbing their first lead at, 17-16, on an Ashley Andrade kill. Wichita State gained momentum increasing their lead to, 24-22, before Oklahoma rallied for the first set victory, 27-25.
In the second set, Wichita State jumped out to an early 6-4 advantage with two kills by Sam Sanders before Oklahoma (9-3) turned the momentum with a dominant stretch pulling ahead, 13-8. Wichita State rallied to pull within one, 13-14, behind consecutive kills from Emily Adney. Oklahoma again pulled ahead by a comfortable margin, 24-20, before a late Wichita State rally fell just short, 25-23.
The third set began similar to the first two with the teams trading points to a 9-9 tie before Wichita State took over with a great defensive display from Mary Elizabeth Hooper and Sarah Waldorf. Kills by Adney and Zwiesler sealed the set for the Shockers, 25-18.
The fourth set featured plenty of late drama and again began with each team trading points to a 6-6 tie before Oklahoma pulled ahead, 9-6. Wichita State drew even at, 12-12, on a Jackie Church ace and again at, 18-18, on a kill by Andrade. Wichita State drew ahead, 23-22, following two hitting errors from the Sooners. Another back-and-forth battle ensued with each team having opportunities for the win. Sam Sanders kill broke a 27-27 tie and combined with Andrade for the final block to clinch the set for the Shockers, 29-27.
The fifth and deciding set opened with the Shockers grabbing a quick 5-2 lead that included two kills from Zwiesler. Wichita State extended its lead to, 12-7, behind a block and two kills from Adney. Oklahoma rallied to tie the set, 13-13, behind three Tara Dunn kills. Zweisler added the final point to clinch the Shocker victory, 15-13.
The Shockers next open Missouri Valley Conference play with a match at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 at home against Indiana State.
