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After their dominating sweep and championship clinching win over 2nd place SMU today the Shockers chances of running the table in their inaugural AAC season has become increasingly probable as they only have back-to-back matches against their travel partner Memphis Tigers to finish the season. The Shockers (26-3, 18-0) will be heavy favorites over the Tigers (10-20, 3-15) who are tied for last place in the AAC.
The Shocks look to go 19-0 on Wednesday when they visit the Tigers in Memphis for a 1:00 pm match. After returning to Wichita for Thanksgiving day, the Shocks will host Memphis at Koch Arena on Friday at 1:00 pm.
On the surface these seem like two somewhat meaningless matches that the Shock most likely will win. However, I believe there is good reason for Shocker fans to turn out en masse for Friday's home match to close out the regular season.
While playing the two final matches against a poor Memphis team will hurt the Shockers RPI the Shocks are still in the hunt for NCAA hosting possibilities. A huge crowd to close out the season would certainly be a good message to show the NCAA selection committee that Shocker fans deserve a hosting opportunity.
More importantly it is Shocker Senior Day and what a group of seniors. Emily Hiebert, Abbie Lehman, Mikaela Raudsepp, Hanna Shelton, Gabi Mostrom, Jenny Whitledge and Kara Maleski. These ladies have been part of 97 Shocker victories (and counting) over the past 4 years and will be participating in their 3rd consecutive NCAA Tournament this year. The careers of Emily and Abbie pretty much speak for themselves. Two future Shocker Hall of Famers I would think. Mikaela has been a bit up and down in her career but has been a great team leader and she seems to be playing the best volleyball of her career here at the end of her final season. Hanna and Gabi have toiled away in the important but somewhat unglamorous role of defensive specialist and have done it to the very best of their abilities. Jenny Whitledge suffered a devastating leg injury at the beginning of last year just when it appeared she was coming into her own. She made a valiant effort to come back this year but just could not get it going again and did not play very much nor has Kara Maleski played much in her career. However, that doesn't mean that Jenny and Kara were not important contributors this year. They certainly did have positive behind the scenes impact on this team. Jenny in particular had to have a very inspiring effect on her teammates. Kara is a Junior in eligibility but will be like most of the Shocker volleyball players is an outstanding student and will be earning her degree this semester. She took her role of bring energy and enthusiasm to practice very seriously.
Finally, you just don't get that many chances to be at a Shocker sporting event where a Shocker team has the opportunity to finish a conference season undefeated. Surely every Shocker fan will want to be able to say I was there rooting the Shockers on when the Shockers completed their first season in the AAC with an undefeated conference season.
I for one will be quite disappointed if we can't get a crowd of at least 4,000 out to Koch Arena on Friday (regardless of whether or not the Shocks win on Wednesday) to support this team and this group of coaches and to honor this wonderful class of seniors. A great chance for Shocker Nation to show what they are really made of.
:poster_shocks:
The Shocks look to go 19-0 on Wednesday when they visit the Tigers in Memphis for a 1:00 pm match. After returning to Wichita for Thanksgiving day, the Shocks will host Memphis at Koch Arena on Friday at 1:00 pm.
On the surface these seem like two somewhat meaningless matches that the Shock most likely will win. However, I believe there is good reason for Shocker fans to turn out en masse for Friday's home match to close out the regular season.
While playing the two final matches against a poor Memphis team will hurt the Shockers RPI the Shocks are still in the hunt for NCAA hosting possibilities. A huge crowd to close out the season would certainly be a good message to show the NCAA selection committee that Shocker fans deserve a hosting opportunity.
More importantly it is Shocker Senior Day and what a group of seniors. Emily Hiebert, Abbie Lehman, Mikaela Raudsepp, Hanna Shelton, Gabi Mostrom, Jenny Whitledge and Kara Maleski. These ladies have been part of 97 Shocker victories (and counting) over the past 4 years and will be participating in their 3rd consecutive NCAA Tournament this year. The careers of Emily and Abbie pretty much speak for themselves. Two future Shocker Hall of Famers I would think. Mikaela has been a bit up and down in her career but has been a great team leader and she seems to be playing the best volleyball of her career here at the end of her final season. Hanna and Gabi have toiled away in the important but somewhat unglamorous role of defensive specialist and have done it to the very best of their abilities. Jenny Whitledge suffered a devastating leg injury at the beginning of last year just when it appeared she was coming into her own. She made a valiant effort to come back this year but just could not get it going again and did not play very much nor has Kara Maleski played much in her career. However, that doesn't mean that Jenny and Kara were not important contributors this year. They certainly did have positive behind the scenes impact on this team. Jenny in particular had to have a very inspiring effect on her teammates. Kara is a Junior in eligibility but will be like most of the Shocker volleyball players is an outstanding student and will be earning her degree this semester. She took her role of bring energy and enthusiasm to practice very seriously.
Finally, you just don't get that many chances to be at a Shocker sporting event where a Shocker team has the opportunity to finish a conference season undefeated. Surely every Shocker fan will want to be able to say I was there rooting the Shockers on when the Shockers completed their first season in the AAC with an undefeated conference season.
I for one will be quite disappointed if we can't get a crowd of at least 4,000 out to Koch Arena on Friday (regardless of whether or not the Shocks win on Wednesday) to support this team and this group of coaches and to honor this wonderful class of seniors. A great chance for Shocker Nation to show what they are really made of.
:poster_shocks:
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