Category: Shocker Athletics

Shocker volleyball takes part in Wichita State’s Shocktoberfest Homecoming and Family Weekend with its home opener against Tulsa at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3. Support the team to kick off the weekend’s festivities as Shocker Athletics recognizes volleyball alumni. The first 150 WSU students receive a free “Fear the Wheat” pickleball paddle. There will also be a beer, brats and pretzel concession special.

Shocker women’s tennis players Xin Tong Wang and Giorgia Roselli are set to compete in the 2025 ITA All-American Championships, beginning Saturday, Sept. 20 at Cary Tennis Park.

Wang and Roselli earned bids in both doubles and singles. The pair are in the qualifying draw in doubles together, and Roselli is in the pre-qualifying draw in singles, while Wang is in the main draw. The pair is ranked No. 31 in doubles, and Wang is ranked No. 73 in singles by the ITA.

Shocker men’s tennis senior Alejandro Jacome is set to compete in the 2025 ITA All-American Singles Championship Sept. 20-28 at Tulsa’s Michael D. Case Tennis Center.

Jacome is making his second career appearance at ITA All-Americans, once again competing in the pre-qualifying draw.

Wichita State welcomes Jacob Eddins as the new head coach of the Shocker women’s tennis team. With a proven track record of elevating collegiate programs to national prominence, Eddins brings exceptional leadership, recruiting acumen and a passion for student-athlete development to Shocker tennis.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jacob Eddins, and his family, to Wichita State,” said Kevin Saal, director of athletics. “His impressive and successful track record across multiple programs, including Illinois, West Virginia, Auburn and Western Carolina, aligns seamlessly with our vision for dynamic growth and championship-level performance. Jacob’s energy, expertise and commitment to student-athletes will be critical elements in the future success of our program.”

“I am honored to be named the next head women’s tennis coach at Wichita State University,” Eddins said. “I want to thank Director of Athletics Kevin Saal and Senior Associate AD Brad Pittman for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead a program with such a proud and storied tradition. I’m also incredibly grateful to my wife, Michaela, and our four beautiful children – Kylie, Gavin, Jayce and Carter – for their unwavering love and support. I wouldn’t be in this position without them and can’t thank them enough.”

Shocker volleyball student-athletes Sydney Dunning and Jordan Heatherly have both been named to the American Conference Honor Roll for their performances at the Golden Eagle Invitational. Heatherly had one of the best weeks by an American setter, while Dunning put together one of the top offensive efforts.

The Shockers finished the tournament 3-0 with sweeps over Radford, Tennessee Tech and Samford.

Dunning, a junior outside hitter from McClave, Colorado, averaged 4.44 kills and 2.67 digs per set, while hitting .514. Heatherly, a junior setter from Western Springs, Illinois, averaged 11.00 assists, 1.89 kills, 0.44 service aces, 2.00 digs and 0.56 blocks per set, while hitting .556. She also guided the team to a .397 attack percentage.

Wichita State welcomes Jacob Eddins as the new head coach of the Shocker women’s tennis team. With a proven track record of elevating collegiate programs to national prominence, Eddins brings exceptional leadership, recruiting acumen and a passion for student-athlete development to Shocker tennis.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jacob Eddins, and his family, to Wichita State,” said Kevin Saal, director of athletics. “His impressive and successful track record across multiple programs, including Illinois, West Virginia, Auburn and Western Carolina, aligns seamlessly with our vision for dynamic growth and championship-level performance. Jacob’s energy, expertise and commitment to student-athletes will be critical elements in the future success of our program.”

“I am honored to be named the next head women’s tennis coach at Wichita State University,” Eddins said. “I want to thank Director of Athletics Kevin Saal and Senior Associate AD Brad Pittman for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead a program with such a proud and storied tradition. I’m also incredibly grateful to my wife, Michaela, and our four beautiful children – Kylie, Gavin, Jayce and Carter – for their unwavering love and support. I wouldn’t be in this position without them and can’t thank them enough.”

Visit the Shocker Store in Charles Koch Arena during the Shocker volleyball game against KU Tuesday, Sept. 16 and get a free yellow koozie with any purchase. And don’t forget, it’s a Yellow Out game, so wear your yellow Shocker gear.

Wichita State sophomore Elkana Kipruto won the 6k race to help the Shocker men claim their fourth-straight JK Gold Classic team title on a muddy Saturday morning at Clapp Cross Country Course.

The Mosoriot, Kenya native ran 18:41.49 in his Shocker debut to claim Wichita State’s first individual JK Gold Classic men’s win since Bryce Merriman won the 2022 title.

For the women, freshman Mercy Jepkoech was the first Shocker across the line for the second-straight meet, finishing third in the 5k race in 18:34.9.

Shocker women’s golf posted a near program-best team score on its way to a second-place finish at the Payne Stewart Memorial Sept. 9.

The Shockers runner up finish came behind round scores of 301, 290, and 290, firing an 881 (+27) for the week. It’s the highest team finish for the Shockers since October 2022, when the Shockers won Creighton’s Big ‘O’ Classic. The team score of 881 is the third best in Shocker history, just six strokes off tying the team record set in March 2019.

Only tournament host Missouri State topped the Shockers, posting an 867 (+15) score to take the team crown.

For the Shockers individually:

• Mackenzie Wilson led the way, finishing tied for eighth on the leaderboard. Her teammates weren’t far behind her as no Shocker finished lower than 22nd on the individual leaderboard.
• Kate Tilma saved her best golf for last, recording an even par 71 in the final round after posting back-to-back 78 scores in the first two rounds. Her closing act boosted her up 21 spots on the leaderboard. 
  Manon Guille bounced back from a woeful 80 in her opening round, notching back-to-back 72s in her latter two trips around the course. 
  Amelie Paul and Kayla Van de Ven finished 13th and 14th respectfully, each picking up their second top 20 finish on the year.  
  Making her collegiate debut competing as an individual, Magdalena Domine tied for 22nd in her first college golf tournament, including posting a 70 (-1) mark in round two.

Yellow Out the Roundhouse as Shocker volleyball takes on in-state rival Kansas at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16. Students receive free pizza at the match. And remember, students get admission to all home athletic games at no additional charge with their Shocker IDs.