Shocker Volleyball Classic

[RoyalShock]

Might as well get a topic started for this weekend.

We were planning on coming in for the Hawaii match Saturday, but now that there's a baseball scrimmage on Sunday, I can't decide if we should wait and catch the Creighton match, then some baseball.

Oh, the difficult choices.

[1972Shocker]

There is only one way to spell this week's schedule for the Lady Shocks:

O-P-P-O-R-T-U-N-I-T-Y

The Shocks take on always tough Missouri State to open the Valley conference season at 6:00 Thursday. This is a match they really need to win to get the Valley season started off on the right foot. #7 Hawaii and South Dakota follow at 8:00 to open the Shocker Volleyball Classic.

The Shocks then take on a pretty decent 9-3 South Dakota team Friday at 7:30pm following what should be very good match between #7 Hawaii and #23 Creighton that starts at 5:00pm.

The Shocks then play #7 Hawaii on Saturday evening at 7:30pm and then #23 Creighton on Sunday afternoon at 2:00pm.

That is one big challenge, but if the Shocks are up to it they could really turbo-charge their season. Huge and supportive crowds would go a long way towards pushing the Lady Shocks to a successful navigation of this gauntlet facing them.

:poster_shocks:

[ShockerFever]

I'm pretty disappointed in the way this is being promoted (or lack thereof) by the marketing/athletic department.

You have a pretty big opportunity here to draw tons of fans against a big name opponent at home and has anyone even heard an advertisement on the radio? And we're what, 4 days away? Pretty lame.

Lambo said he expects 5,000+, which should easily be a very attainable goal with this type of opponent. If it was properly promoted, I would think 6-7 k would be no problem.

I really hope Lambo doesn't get let down. If he does, it would be by his own university's representatives.

[WuDrWu]

I hear you @ShockerFever:, but consider this for a moment. I think even someone "skeptical" of the marketing department would have to admit they've been fairly successful over the last couple of years, at least.

Volleyball received a LOT of marketing run last season....and what were the results? Almost no bang for the buck. They got almost no bump. Now, we can discuss whether or not the marketing was "good", and I'll be happy to engage in that, but I think there is something to the lesson in futility.....something about doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.

Now, I'm with you....The more marketing the better in my mind, especially when it comes to THIS program. But if they are doing what I think they're doing (and admittedly, I have NO idea) I really cannot blame them. They'll spend time on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pintrest etc and probably do a minimum of last minute media blitz, because in the end the same people for the most part are going to show up.

[SubGod22]

With a team like Hawaii coming in, how can you not promote the hell out of at least that game? This is one of the premier VB programs in the nation visiting WSU. I agree with Fever and I believe that this game should set an attendance record, but I doubt it will and that's a shame.

[JayShocks]

They should at the very least reach out to every high school and junior high VB coach within 50 miles and give them group discounts to bring their entire teams here to watch. That would probably bring in at least another 500 screaming bodies.

[JayJ79]

Beat Hawaii, and the Shockers will definitely be ranked in next week's poll. Lose to UH and beat Creighton (and South Dakota), and you might crack the top #25 (probably with Creighton dropping out, unless they beat Hawaii).

Bobbi Petersen had WSU in the #20 spot on her ballot, but no one else had them in, so y'all didn't appear in the "receiving votes" list.
not that the poll really means all that much, especially at this point in the season, but it's nice to be able to see your team with a number next to it

[WuDrWu]

Top 20 is pretty darned good company if you ask me. It's pretty easy to name a dozen "elite" teams that, even if you think WSU can compete with, have more more impressive resumes so far. That means you need to be one of the next 13 best out of 250+ teams? Like I said, pretty darned good company.

I certainly will not be disappointed with a 3-1 week, but it might be fun to see what could happen with a 4-0 week. Barring injury, WSU is likely to have a fairly gaudy record at season's end....how gaudy is yet to be determined, but a 4-0 week might make things really interesting regarding hosting a subregional. Even a sunshine pumper like me doesn't think a record like 32-2 gets you a regional if your best wins are Louisville and Creighton at home. Beat Hawaii (no question a monumental task) and I think you are allowed a couple of mulligans. I much rather be 29-5 with a win over UH than 32-2 and a loss.

Getting a big crowd for the game this weekend would be a nice way to announce to the NCAA that Wichita would support the event, and perhaps a future regional at Intrust. Just sayin'.

[RoyalShock]

I saw a tweet from a Hawaii fan that said WSU kicked in extra money and is covering the Wahine's hotel expenses for the tournament.

Digging Na Wahine @DiggingNaWahine
Wichita State kicked in extra Cha Ching and picking up the hotel tab for this trip to Kansas. Ben Jay is smiling.

[1972Shocker]

I saw a tweet from a Hawaii fan that said WSU kicked in extra money and is covering the Wahine's hotel expenses for the tournament.

Doesn't surprise me a bit. I think Lambo turned himself inside out trying to get a team like Hawaii to Wichita. He has been more than accommodating to the Rainbow Wahini and I hope the Lady Shocks give them a match that will make it worth the effort. This matchup may not happen without the VB101 fund raiser.

[RoyalShock]

Here are your promotions for this weekend:

[1972Shocker]

@RoyalShock where did you come across that information? Never mind Royal, I found it on the Facebook page.

According to this Promotion page at goShockers.com you can also get in free to the Hawaii match by donated one can of nonperishable food.

I spoke with Kayla in marketing department and confirmed that you can get in by donating one can of nonperishable food.

There will also be vouchers for free admission to the Hawaii match at the Meritrust Credit Union branches on Thursday and Friday.

On Friday they have 1 Share, 1 Ticket promotion. On Friday for everyone that you share the posted promotion with WSU will provide 1 ticket to the Hawaii match to a youth organization.

Even the Wichita Eagle family package is not a bad deal.

The only thing required by Shocker fans is just a small amount of effort and time.

[WuDrWu]

http://www.kansas.com/2013/09/18/3007585/wsus-volleyball-crowds-what-next.html#emlnl=WSU_Sports_Newsletter

[WuDrWu]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10153235745990274&set=vb.141084710890&type=2&theater

10 minute preview video from Lambo, Feekin and Andrade.

[1972Shocker]

http://www.kansas.com/2013/09/18/300...rts_Newsletter

I really hate to say it but I think our attendance has plateaued. Very disappointed to hear that our season tickets sales are down to 783 (despite the relatively economical price).

The Shocks vs MSU are somewhat up against Chiefs football on Thursday with the Shocks starting at 6:00 and the Chiefs do not start until 7:30. Despite this being a very key Valley match I'm not expecting a real big crowd for that despite the ability to DVR the Chiefs game.

We might get a big crowd for Hawaii with all the promotions and give-aways going on. However, I doubt that it will have any lasting effect and despite all the supposed dislike sent Creighton's way on ShockerNet that really hasn't seemed to translate into anything real special outside of men's basketball.

The only thing I could see maybe really giving us a boost that might have some legs (and I stress the word might) would perhaps be getting to host an NCAA Tournament sub-regional round. If can successfully navigate this weekend we just might have a shot at hosting. But running the gauntlet facing the Lady Shocks over the next 4 days is going to be very challenging.