Wichita State rallies to defeat Missouri State, lock up NCAA bid

Wichita State volleyball team won’t need to wonder and fret before Sunday’s NCAA Tournament selection show. The Shockers are in with the Missouri Valley Conference’s automatic bid.

Top-seeded WSU (26-8) defeated third-seeded and host Missouri State 3-2 ( 24-26, 20-25, 27-25, 25-17, 18-16) on Saturday to win the MVC Tournament in Springfield, Mo. The Shockers won their third MVC Tournament and doubled up on the regular-season and tournament titles for the third time.

WSU will make its ninth NCAA appearance, all since the first in 2004.

Jody Larson was named tournament MVP after totaling 19 kills and 17 digs against the Bears (24-10). Outside hitter Shimen Fayad and setter Emily Hiebert joined Larson on the all-tournament team.

Middle Abbie Lehman recorded a career-high 21 kills with Fayad adding 16 kills, five digs and four blocks. Hiebert handed out 66 assists and had 13 digs. Libero Dani Mostrom had 27 digs.

Lily Johnson, the MVC Player of the Year, led the Bears with 26 kills.

The Shockers dropped the first two sets before winning the third set 27-25. WSU ended the fourth set on an 8-2 run to win 25-17. The Shockers led the fifth set 14-9 before giving up five straight points to MSU. The Shockers ended the match on kills by Katie Reilly and Larson for an 18-16 win.

WSU will learn its opponent and site on Sunday (8 p.m.) during the selection show. A third straight trip to Kansas is possible. The Jayhawks are ranked No. 9 and have hosted three straight seasons. No. 3 Texas and No. 5 Nebraska are also schools likely to host the first and second rounds, which begin Dec. 4.

This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 8:55 PM with the headline "Wichita State rallies to defeat Missouri State, lock up NCAA bid."