WSU’s Lehman ties NCAA volleyball record

The scouting report gave every indication that Saturday night might offer big things for Wichita State’s middle blockers.

No matter what that four-page report revealed, it undersold Abbie Lehman’s performance in WSU’s sweep of Bradley at Koch Arena. She recorded 15 kills on 15 swings for an attack percentage of 1.000, tying an NCAA record. Entering 2014, 28 others hit 1.000 on 10 or more attempts and none with more than 15.

“Our passing was there and I had great sets,” Lehman said. “We knew that we should run the middles a lot, because they usually only put up one block against us.”

WSU (14-7, 8-3 Missouri Valley Conference) won its fourth straight match and defeated Bradley for the 24th straight time. Bradley (0-21, 0-11) was swept (25-11, 25-19, 26-24) for the eighth time in MVC play.

Lehman dominated the first set with six kills, slicing up the solo block and hitting over smaller defenders. She added six more in the second set and finished with three, finding open spots even when Bradley added more blockers. The Braves did dig one of her kills and she sent one wide, but net violations rescued both points for the Shockers. Lehman, consequently, thought her spotless mark ended.

The Shockers started Lehman on her way to a perfect night by handling Bradley’s lukewarm service game and keeping setters Emily Hiebert and McKenzie Fyfe in good position to feed Lehman.

“When Abbie can keep things high, it’s tough back there,” WSU coach Chris Lamb said. “You’re at a disadvantage when the setter is standing near the net and you’ve got a middle that go up there and get it.”

WSU’s record was .917 by Janelle Watton vs. Tulsa in 1991. Last season, setter Chelsey Feekin hit .900 against Evansville. She joins Indiana’s Samantha Thrower (2011) and Arkansas State’s Katie Silliman (1998) in the 15-for-15 club atop the NCAA record book.

“It wasn’t like she was skating the minimum,” Lamb said. “It really validates when someone gets a percentage record, but still be busy. These things don’t happen, but it’s really nice to see.”

This story was originally published October 25, 2014 at 9:29 PM with the headline "WSU’s Lehman ties NCAA volleyball record."