Posted on Sun, Nov. 01, 2009

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This time, Shockers turn back Jays

BY PAUL SUELLENTROP

The Wichita Eagle

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."

The win avenged a 3-1 loss to the Bluejays and gave WSU (18-4, 9-3 Missouri Valley Conference) its fourth straight win. The team that lost two straight and three of six matches no longer exists.

"We definitely have more fire," Niggemeyer said. "We have more team adrenaline going right now."

Coach Chris Lamb saw that in all aspects. WSU held Creighton to a .058 attack percentage with well-placed serves and blocking and digging that disrupted the offense. The Shockers hit .278 after hitting .059 in Omaha against the Valley's top blocking team.

"There's not a number on the stat sheet that doesn't excite me," Lamb said. "It starts with serving, to help us create all those opportunities to dig in transition. We did a much better job converting a dug ball into a swing."

Setter Mary Elizabeth Hooper and outside hitter Emily Stockman turned in special performances. Hooper recorded 40 assists, 13 digs and eight blocks. Stockman contributed 16 kills and 16 digs. After the first set, Hooper expertly spread out Creighton's blockers with sets in all directions. Once the Shockers got the Bluejays moving, hitting lanes opened.

"I was focusing a lot on faking them out," Hooper said. "When I was front row, every time I would jump I would feel the middles jump with me, which left the pins wide open."

Niggemeyer, working mainly behind the setter, had a season-high 12 kills one night after getting 11 against Drake. Amanda Backes gave WSU a boost off the bench with a six kills.

"As Amanda goes, and Katie goes behind the setter, it may be as we go for awhile," Lamb said. "When they're playing well, there's a lot of things for teams on the other side of the net to prepare for."

First-place Northern Iowa swept Bradley to win its 20th straight match. Second-place Missouri State defeated Drake 3-1.

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