Kansas.com: Wichita State Shockers

High-scoring WSU women roll past Newman

TAYLOR ELDRIDGE — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:06 CST

Being only Chynna Turner's second minute on the floor, of course the Wichita State freshman expected to make the play.

Few in the 1,411 in attendance at Koch Arena on Sunday afternoon could have thought the same as Turner, charging down the court in transition, tried to corrall the lead pass from Dannah Kemp.

And while the pass was a bit long, Turner showed off a soft pair of hands and some athleticism to finish the play, part of her impressive 17-point, 10-rebound performance in the Shockers' 97-46 exhibition win over Newman.

Short-handed Shockers trip Jets

PAUL SUELLENTROP — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:52 CST

Wichita State senior guard Clevin Hannah sat on the bench in uniform and watched auditions for his backup on Saturday.

Everyone at WSU hopes the Shockers need a backup, and not a replacement for any significant length of the basketball season. The Shockers missed Hannah’s leadership and shooting during their 81-69 win over NCAA Division II Newman in an exhibition at Koch Arena.

“We survived,” WSU coach Gregg Marshall said. “I certainly would have rather had the little fellow out there. The goal is to have him back as soon as possible. I think we’re on the way to doing that.”

Adams waiting for women to stabilize

TAYLOR ELDRIDGE — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:08 CST

Wichita State women's basketball coach Jody Adams is looking for someone she can count on.

In her second season, Adams' cleansing of the program has left three returning players to blend with eight new faces, all ready to make their preseason debut this afternoon in an exhibition game against Newman at Koch Arena.

Working with one of the more inexperienced teams in the nation, Adams will be searching for answers in the tune-up for the season-opening road trip to Colorado State next Sunday.

Sports information is trying to keep up with the times

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

Not long ago, college sports information staffs publicized their programs with media guides and weekly releases.

That seems about as relevant today as the Pony Express or 8-track tapes.

Wichita State's media relations department provides an example of how quickly things are changing. Last school year, the department produced printed media guides for each sport. This year, only volleyball stuck with the traditional bound book with roster, bios and stats. All other sports will use a "virtual" guide on goshockers.com, targeted at recruits and fans. History, facts and figures for stats geeks and media are available in a simple format, ready for printing and stapling.

Wichita State defeats Newman 81-69 in exhibition opener

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:10 CST

Newman steps up to plate

Paul Suellentrop — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

It's an exhibition game, and even fans need to warm up their lungs. Wichita State plays Newman tonight in a men's basketball game that doesn't matter, except for the people to whom it matters a great deal.

"At the mall, or Wal-Mart, we walk around in our Newman sweats and (people) will say 'Aw, Wichita State is going to beat you all,' " Newman senior Jaray Mathews said.

That is the way tonight's game will almost certainly play out. The result is secondary to both schools. Newman, an NCAA Division II school, is thrilled to get the opportunity to play on the city's biggest basketball stage. WSU is ready for another tune-up before the regular-season starts on Nov. 15.

What the critics are saying about Gregg Marshall's winter collection

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:26 CST

The importance of the brain game hit the Shockers with full force last January.

They started Missouri Valley Conference play with six straight losses. Then they won five of their next six.

Same bodies. Different minds.

No home for WSU rowers

PAUL SUELLENTROP — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:02 CST

Wichita's rowing teams are looking for a new home.

BG Products is giving Wichita State's crew team and the Wichita Rowing Association until Jan. 1 to move out of the boathouse on BG property on the Arkansas River.

"We're going to relocate," said WSU's Wade Robinson, vice president for campus life and university relations. "We think we'll come out of this stronger, where we're not nomadic. We're looking for a space we can commit to."

Shocker lineup in flux

PAUL SUELLENTROP — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

Wichita State basketball coach Gregg Marshall gets one more chance to evaluate his team against outside competition before it's decision time.

He has three of his starters penciled in, although he wants to keep his lineup a mystery until closer to the game. He wants to redshirt at least one, perhaps, two players. And he need to find somebody who can handle the ball when senior Clevin Hannah is on the bench.

Marshall said he liked how his team played in Sunday's closed scrimmage against Kansas State. The Shockers play Newman on Saturday in an exhibition game leading up to the Nov. 15 season opener against Fairleigh Dickinson at Koch Arena.

Subterfuge rules for WSU's Hooper

PAUL SUELLENTROP — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

Wichita State volleyball coach Chris Lamb breaks down the road to deception as good information, no information and bad information.

If a setter gives the defense good information about where the ball is going, that's bad for the offense. No information is a step in the right direction because at least it delays the blockers.

Bad information is the best. Selling a fake to blockers gives hitters open lanes for a kill.

This time, Shockers turn back Jays

PAUL SUELLENTROP — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:49 CST

As in the first meeting this season, Creighton started the volleyball match with a tight victory over Wichita State in the first set. After that, nothing went like it did in Omaha in early October.

WSU responded with three wins, two of the surprisingly easy variety, to roll past Creighton 3-1 (23-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-11) on Saturday night at Koch Arena.

"We weren't about to let Creighton beat us a second time this season," WSU senior Katie Niggemeyer said. "We just went out and took it."

Ellis developing into competent option up front

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:04 CDT

Experienced and talented big men are often a rarity in the Missouri Valley Conference. Wichita State is the exception this season, with four inside players with varying degrees of solid credentials.

Shocker fans know their names and games — junior J.T. Durley is the scorer, sophomore Garrett Stutz is the skilled 7-footer and junior Gabe Blair, a transfer, is this season's version of rebounder Ramon Clemente. Then there's junior Aaron Ellis, called the team's best screener and post defender by coach Gregg Marshall.

Maybe that description isn't as exciting as the others. It works for Ellis, whose improvement and solid play might get him in the starting lineup.

Shocker women retain MVC crown

Eagle staff — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:04 CDT

The men's Missouri Valley Conference cross country race ended with an upset. Wichita State coach Marc Burns wanted to make sure nothing unexpected happened in the women's race.

A muddy course in Peoria, Ill., made early positioning crucial. His runners got out in the front pack early and stayed there on their way to a fifth-straight MVC title on Saturday.

"After the men's race, the course was probably the muckiest, sloppiest course we've ever run," Burns said. "The conditions made it really hard for people to move up in the field. We told our girls that we need to establish ourselves up front right away."

Former Shocker coach, player Al Littleton dies

PAUL SUELLENTROP — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:04 CDT

Positive and soft-spoken, coach Al Littleton guided Wichita State golf teams to some of their best moments.

Mr. Littleton, 83, died on Friday. He spent much of his life playing and instructing the sport. He played at the University of Wichita and coached the Shockers from 1973-82 and 1989-95. WSU won three Missouri Valley Conference titles and played in four NCAA tournaments during his tenure as coach.

"He was a very positive man," said John Loomis, an All-MVC golfer in 1993. "Even when things weren't going well, he kept things upbeat. He was never big on changing our swings. It was more fine-tuning the mental game."

Offense develops depth in fall ball

PAUL SUELLENTROP — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:04 CDT

Depth and competition emerged as the themes of Wichita State's fall baseball practice. Coach Gene Stephenson couldn't be happier, because he thinks his locker room is full of players who know they must perform to be in the lineup next spring.

Examples are everywhere, and none is more prominent than in the outfield. Travis Bennett transferred to WSU from Northern Iowa with one season of eligibility remaining and credentials as the Missouri Valley Conference's Newcomer of the Year in 2009.

In many situations, that means a starting job is wrapped up.

Wichita State wins fifth straight women's MVC cross country title

Eagle staff — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:04 CDT

The Wichita State women won their fifth straight Missouri Valley Conference cross country title on Saturday.

Three Shockers finished in the top six, led by Tonya Nero's third-place finish in the 5-kilometer-meter race in Peoria, Ill.

Nero's time of 18 minutes, 45 seconds was followed by teammate Irene Kosgei (18:54) in fourth. Leah Thompson (18:57) finished sixth.

Wichita State volleyball dominates Drake

PAUL SUELLENTROP — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:28 CDT

Most seasons, Wichita State's Drake-Creighton volleyball weekend is all about Creighton.

Not this time. Drake came into Koch Arena on a seven-match win streak and in fourth place in the Missouri Valley Conference.

"We were equally focused on both teams," WSU senior Katie Niggemeyer said. "There were a lot of factors about the Drake game that were important for us to take into consideration."

Wichita State runners primed for MVC

PAUL SUELLENTROP — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:28 CDT

Wichita State cross country coach Marc Burns changed his team's schedule two weeks ago with today in mind. Earlier this month, he sent the Shockers to the Pre-National Meet in Terre Haute, Ind., instead of a scheduled trip to Arkansas.

He believes the switch will pay off in the Missouri Valley Conference meet today in Peoria, Ill. The WSU women, ranked the pre-race favorite, will try to win a fifth straight conference title.

"Pre-Nationals is such a competitive race," Burns said. "You can get swallowed up. Now we're battle-tested."

Church becomes vital for Shockers

Paul Suellentrop — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:09 CDT

More vocal. More aggressive. More comfortable. Pick your description of why Wichita State freshman Jackie Church played her best volleyball match of the season a week ago.

Coach Chris Lamb prefers "more engaged" as he describes her as this season's most improved player. Church caught Lamb's attention with her performance as defensive specialist against Missouri State, a match in which she recorded 11 digs.

"I followed the scouting report, and I didn't look timid when the ball was coming to me," Church said. "That was the most I've felt like my old self, that I could bring what I had before to the team."

Arena gets women's NCAA

PAUL SUELLENTROP — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:18 CDT

The NCAA is giving Wichita basketball fans a different version of March Madness.

The NCAA included Intrust Bank Arena among the 16 sites for women's first- and second-round tournament games in 2011.

Last month, the NCAA rejected the arena's bid to hold men's tournament games.