Strong faith forms strong friendship for Wichita State volleyball seniors

Katie Reilly and MaryAshton Floyd start most days by writing a Bible verse on the back of their left hands with a black magic marker.

Joshua 1:9 advises Bible readers to “Be strong and courageous … do not be discouraged.” John 3:30 tells us “He must become greater; I must become less.” Psalm 139 invites God to know a person’s heart.

Those are the types of words and actions that bond the Wichita State volleyball seniors together, that form their friendship, inspire their leadership and strengthen them in tough times. Reilly, from Cypress, Texas, and Floyd, from Fort Worth, met as freshmen in 2012. They live together, played the same position, cook together and Floyd will serve as maid of honor in May when Reilly marries former Shockers baseball player Parker Zimmerman.

“He must become greater; I must become less.”

“She has taught me more about selfless and encouragement than anyone,” Reilly said.

“Be strong and courageous …”

“I definitely knew the Lord, but I was pretty focused on volleyball when I got here,” Floyd said. “(Reilly) helped really realize that my main focus was to glorify God and not myself. I was like ‘Wow, I want to live my life like she does.’ ”

The Shockers (23-7, 14-2 Missouri Valley Conference) face second-place Southern Illinois (22-7, 13-3) on Friday at Koch Arena. WSU can wrap up its second MVC title in three seasons with a win. On Saturday, WSU plays host to Evansville while SIU travels to Missouri State. It is the last home weekend for Reilly, Floyd and Jaclyn Roddy, a junior athletically who will also graduate.

“I know life goes on, but this is a pretty sweet part of my life, thus far,” Reilly said. “I don’t know what it’s going to be like to walk out for the last time, but I’m really excited that it is with this team and these girls. I just hope I can stop and take it all in and take a mental picture of the moment.”

Those mental pictures will include images of them playing as freshmen on WSU’s Sweet 16 team that defeated Arkansas and Kansas, competing for playing time, Reilly’s move to middle blocker and Floyd’s All-MVC season in 2014. As seniors, Reilly remains a fixture in the lineup, while Floyd’s playing time diminished.

“She’s been a complete professional,” WSU coach Chris Lamb said. “She’s had to deal with so many adjustments that included her, or didn’t include her. Right-side, left-side, back row.”

Reilly played many roles in four years, changing positions and growing into a more prominent point-scorer as a senior. Her contribution, however, has always been with her attitude.

“Energy and enthusiasm,” Lamb said. “When it comes to mental toughness and being a teammate, I don’t think she ever had a bad day.”

Their off-court influences are also prominent, both involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, both regulars on the honor roll and both willing to take on leadership roles. Asked to demonstrate good study habits, they cooked grilled chicken with butternut squash, sprinked with cinnamon sugar, and broccoli during a recent study session for two teammates at their off-campus house.

“We have been asking ‘If you need help, you have to ask; we can’t always see if you need help,’ ” Reilly said. “I’m just happy that they actually asked. Being a student-athlete is hard. Sometimes, it’s just nice to have a home-cooked meal.”

The friendship flourished during a sophomore season in which Floyd and Reilly both played outside hitter. Floyd said it was during that time she learned to be a better teammate, to put her desires for playing time secondary to team goals.

“That was the hardest part of our friendship,” Reilly said. “It definitely strained our relationship, just because you want it to so bad. In practice, it might seem that you’re mad at each other and you come home and you’re not talking. But the Lord changes your heart.”

Both will graduate in December. Reilly will transfer to South Carolina to play beach volleyball and work on a master’s degree in exercise science. Floyd will move to Conway, Ark., to work for KLIFE Ministries as a mentor and counselor.

“I hope that five years from now, 10 years from now, 20 year from now that I’m still in touch with these two,” Lamb said. “And they’re still both friends. You always wonder when people leave and get totally different lives, but they’re good for each other.”

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 6:44 PM with the headline "Strong faith forms strong friendship for Wichita State volleyball seniors."