Good morning, Shocker Nation. The Wichita State volleyball team opens its 50th season as an NCAA volleyball program with the Shocker Volleyball Classic, welcoming Kennesaw State and Arkansas (a team receiving votes in the initial AVCA top 25 poll) to Charles Koch Arena today through Sunday, Aug. 29-31.

All Shocker matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.

The Shockers are coming off an 18-14 season in 2024 that culminated in a dominant run to the American Conference Tournament championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The squad was picked third in the American Conference preseason poll.

🏐: FULL SCOUTING REPORT
🎤: ASSISTANT VOLLEYBALL COACHES JOIN THE RH PODCAST

And now, a message from the squad… 👇🏼

What else are we mixing into today’s piping hot edition of the Shocker Brew? Find out below!

🎾 Exciting Women’s Tennis Preseason Rankings
🏀 MBB Open Practice Details
🌾 And much, much more!

🌾 ONE BIG THING

Women’s Tennis’ One-Two Punch. Wichita State's Xin Tong Wang and Giorgia Roselli were ranked among the top players in college tennis in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's preseason rankings.

In singles, Wang is ranked No. 73. In doubles, the pair of Wang and Roselli is ranked No. 31. This is the third time Wang and Roselli have been ranked as a doubles team, and by far their highest ranking. The duo is the highest-ranked doubles team since Marta Belluco and Sandra Honigova were ranked No. 23 in 2021.

Both Wang and Roselli earned all-conference honors last season, the first time Wichita State had multiple all-conference selections since 2018.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 You Say You Want an Evolution. In a move reflecting the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, Wichita State Athletics has transitioned its support from the Wheat Shock Collective (WSC) to the newly restructured Shocker Athletics Annual Membership model, specifically through the We Fight for Wichita Fund. Effective August 1, 2025, all WSC memberships will be concluded. Those memberships are now seamlessly honored under the new, streamlined model, along with philanthropic contributions previously gifted to the WSC.
 
🗣 "This proactive step brings Roster Resources support and NIL operations fully in-house with Shocker Athletics," said Wichita State Director of Athletics Kevin Saal.

🔼 Staying in the Hoop Scoop Loop. It’s a new era in college sports, and the Shocker WBB squad is all over making the most of it.

🔼 A First Impression. Get more info HERE!

🌾 SHOCKER TRIVIA

A Spike in Success 📈. With the Shockers volleyball team’s appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season, what’s the total number of times the squad has done so?

Think you know the answer? Scroll to the bottom to find out!

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📆 ON THE DOCKET

*All times CST

Friday, Aug. 29
🏐 Volleyball vs. Kennesaw State - Season Opener @ 7 p.m. ESPN+ | Tickets | Live Stats
👟 Cross Country @ Terry Masterson Twilight Classic (Hutchinson, Kansas) @ W 3 mi 8:30 p.m. / M 4 mi 9:05 p.m. | Live Stats | Meet Info/Schedule

Sunday, Aug. 31
🏐 Volleyball vs. Arkansas - Shocker Volleyball Classic @ 1 p.m. ESPN+ | Live Stats | Tickets

🌾 Click here to see the full Wichita State Athletics Calendar

🤓 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 12!

Last season, the Shockers volleyball team made its 12th appearance in the NCAA Tournament overall, marking its first since 2017.

🌾 Happy Volleyball Weekend, Shocker Nation!