WICHITA STATE 3, UTEP 0 (25-14, 25-22, 25-22)
EL PASO, TX – Wichita State thrived in difficult circumstances Tuesday, playing in front of UTEP’s third straight sellout crowd but never blinking as the Shockers posted the sweep and walked away as the champions of the 2023 NIVC. The Shockers (26-8) hit .292 overall and had two more kills on 22 fewer attacks. The Miners close the season at 25-10. Set 1 saw both teams get off the mark slowly, but Wichita State found traction first and enjoyed a 15-9 lead after a UTEP error and two kills from Sophia Rohling. The Miners tried another timeout when the lead expanded to 18-9, but WSU never wavered, making just three hitting errors in the frame. Set 2 progressed to an 18-all tie, but two UTEP errors and two kills from sophomore Emerson Wilford launched the Shockers in front, 22-18. Wilford also got the kill that finished off the frame. In Set 3, Wichita State again grabbed an important late lead at 22-18. Marian Ovalle pulled the Miners within 23-21, but Wilford had one more kill in her arsenal, as did Morgan Weber, who wrapped up the match. UTEP finished 10 service errors to just three for WSU. Wilford was the only player to reach double figures in kills with 11; Izzi Strand had 29 assists and Gabi Maas came through with 12 digs. For UTEP, Alianza Darley had nine kills – Mattie Gantt dished out 17 assists and Kalia Kohler had 16 assists. Wichita State now leads the overall series 7-2. After the match, the 2023 NIVC all-tournament team was announced: Izzi Strand – Wichita State (MVP) Gabi Maas – Wichita State Morgan Stout – Wichita State Alianza Darley – UTEP Kaya Weaver – UTEP Maria Clara Andrade – South Florida Kira Thomsen – Montana State |
Archives
December 2023
|