Injured Shockers’ return strengthens WSU volleyball’s back row

Jenny Whitledge’s 2017 volleyball season is already more successful than 2016. She walked off the court healthy after Wichita State’s first day of practices.

A year ago, Whitledge’s season ended on the first day of practice when she jumped and landed on her left leg and suffered torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, two torn meniscus and bone bruises to her tibia and femur.

“It was kind of emotional walking into it,” she said. “I made it through the first day and that’s really all that matters.”

Teammate Giorgia Civita is experiencing similar relief and excitement. She played in 11 matches last season, moving into the starting lineup as a freshman, before a torn ACL in her right knee ended her season. Like Whitledge, she practiced on Wednesday in the Koch Arena practice gym, both wearing a black brace to protect the injured leg.

“I feel good,” Civita said. “I’m not as quick as I was before my surgery, but I feel so much better.”

Whitledge, a senior, played back row during spring practices and matches and protected her leg with limited jumping and attacking duties. Civita, a redshirt freshman libero, spent most of the spring rehabbing the injury before getting cleared for play a week before those workouts ended.

“Both of them found something this summer, with strength and conditioning, that is working for them, made them feel good,” WSU coach Chris Lamb said. “You have to believe it. You have to feel it. You have to know you’re right before you can decide to become explosive and let yourself go.”

The progress of both players will likely play key roles in how Lamb sets his lineup, especially in the back row. Civita’s ball skills are superb and Whitledge’s athletic abilities will get her a chance to play libero. Seniors Gabi Mostrom, whose 152 digs ranked fifth last season on team, and Hanna Shelton, who recorded 132 digs, also return with significant experience in the back row.

Last season, Civita earned playing time at libero and defensive specialist from the start of the season and won Missouri Valley Conference freshman of the week honors twice before the injury. Lamb places her at the front of the liberos starting this season. Lamb must replace Dani Mostrom, the 2015 MVC Libero of the Year, and WSU’s digs leader in each of the past four seasons.

“Nobody has ever walked in the door with more volleyball I.Q. than Giorgia,” he said. “She’s got exceptional hand-eye coordination. If the ball comes near her, no one is going to do a better job with platform skills. No one is going to anticipate and read better. Her ability to move around the court will be the indicator of how much better she gets.”

Lamb pushed Civita on Wednesday with drills calling for diving and extending.

“I was sort of wondering if she was going to opt out of any of them and she stayed with it,” Lamb said. “We moved her around. We forced her into some range.”

Lamb is pleased with Civita’s work in the weight room — she asked for extra time to work on conditioning during practices — and he sees a player who is moving well after her rehab.

“Better than a year ago, but I want more,” he said.

Whitledge feels good about her agility. Her leaping ability is not quite back to its form before the injury. She remains, Lamb said, WSU’s best athlete and her range in the back row interests him.

“If you can get that athleticism to be skilled, it’s a coach’s dream,” he said. “That’s what we’re going for.”

The Shockers, 24-8 last season, received seven points in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll announced Wednesday. On Monday, the American Athletic Conference poll is released and WSU is expected to sit at or near the top. The Shockers return four starters from a team that played in the NCAA Tournament, as did new conference opponents Cincinnati and SMU.

“I’m actually really happy with how the freshmen paid attention and performed today,” Whitledge said. “For the seniors, we said we were going to hit the ground running. We’re ready to be intense from day one.”

This story was originally published August 9, 2017 at 6:12 PM with the headline "Injured Shockers’ return strengthens WSU volleyball’s back row."