[00:00:15] Speaker A: Hello. Welcome to the Roundhouse podcast with Paul Solentrop of Wichita State University strategic communications. Thanks for your time. We're going to talk shocker volleyball today. They are nearing the end of their spring schedule. We have Katie Galligan, a junior libero defensive specialist from Omaha, Nebraska and Emerson Wilford, a junior outside hitter from Laguna Hills, California. They are here to update us on the spring. Katie recorded a career high 20 digs and a win over Tulsa in the National Volleyball Invitational championship last fall. Emerson started 17 matches in 2023. She had three double doubles. She led the shockers with eleven kills in the NIVC title win at UTEP. The Shockers went 26 eight last fall on their way to the NIVC title. They have played Oklahoma, Kansas State and several other schools in a Kansas City tournament so far this spring. They wrap things up in Lawrence on Saturday where they will play Kansas and Missouri. Emerson, you wear number 13. Is there a story associated with that number?
[00:01:16] Speaker B: Yeah. So basically my dad played professional hockey all while growing up. And so when I would go to his games and stuff, like, he was always number three. And so just me and like, my other siblings have all kind of been number three all while playing, like, sports. But when I got here, Briley was number three, so I took 13 because I felt like it was like the next best thing.
[00:01:35] Speaker A: Makes sense. I was going to guess that about your dad and that will come into play later. Tell us, give the read, give the listeners a little background on your dad.
[00:01:43] Speaker B: My dad just played professional hockey all while I was growing up, but he only ever played in like, the AHL. He now coaches in the NHL up in New York, like upstate New York. So I don't know. I grew up a lot as a kid watching hockey. I lived in Europe for a little bit, too, to watch him finish playing, so I moved around a lot as a kid.
[00:02:00] Speaker A: You did indeed, Katie. Number six. Is there a story behind wearing number.
[00:02:04] Speaker C: Six similar to Emerson's? It was my dad's number. He was number 16, though. And then there were six people in my family. Six was part of his number and been six for as long as I can remember. So I just stuck with it.
[00:02:16] Speaker A: Okay. We mentioned the shockers won the NIVC last fall. They defeated Arkansas State, Tulsa, Drake, Montana State, and won at UTEP. Katie, how does that experience help when you get rolling this spring?
[00:02:30] Speaker C: I think that in order to win that tournament, you have to continue to win over and over again. And I think part of the hard part about that is unsure of where you're going to be playing next. What time? You don't necessarily have a set schedule, and you've been playing for so long at that point, injuries start happening. People check out. Sometimes it gets mentally and physically tough, and I think in the spring, you can kind of say the same thing with that. Like, we've been playing for a really long time, but we've shown that we can be successful in those areas, and so bringing that into our spring season, important.
[00:03:06] Speaker A: Emerson, what do you think the team got out of the NIVC experience?
[00:03:09] Speaker B: Yeah, I think we all just kind of saw, like, if we just keep pushing and, like, keep working together as a team, like, that, things can go well, and that, like, it was a big goal we wanted to reach, but now, hopefully, like, this season, we can keep trying to, like, reach these goals and solid, like, our goal was attainable, like, when we decided we were going to play in the NIBC, I think it was good to see that, like, those goals can be reached.
[00:03:28] Speaker A: So let's set the stage for fans who might not be super familiar with spring volleyball. Emerson, describe it. What's the goal? What are you trying to get out of these, these weeks and these matches?
[00:03:38] Speaker B: Yeah, well, I think Lambo tries to break down a lot of, like, the individual skills you do and stuff. So, like, we've been working a lot on, like, shot selections for me and stuff and just for all the pins in general. So, like, today, we stayed in the whole one drill for the whole day, but, like, we just kept working at it and trying to perfect things that maybe, like, weren't as great the season before. So, yeah, and then you just, the games are a little bit different, too. It's not like, oh, a game just set to 25, it's like, time, or, like, you play five sets no matter what. So I think you just learn, like, you learn a lot, really, is what spring is.
[00:04:09] Speaker A: Yeah. Katie, what's the vibe in the gym? You're gonna roll into Ku, play two matches. How does it differ from maybe a regular season match in the regular season?
[00:04:19] Speaker C: I'd say we do focus a lot on the other teams. We have film, we scout, we'll run certain defenses or certain offenses based on the other team. Whereas in the spring, I think you really focus on ourselves. Like Emerson said, we break down things positionally. We really focus on what we're doing as a team. And I think that's the main difference between the fall and the spring. So right now, we're focused on ourselves, relationships, kind of the vibes in the gym as well. All of those are super important, and I think, again, focusing on ourselves and what we can bring, learn from each match and finish up the spring strong.
[00:04:57] Speaker A: Katie, take us back a few weeks. The first practice, first meeting, you're back together with the coaches for the first time since the NIvC. What was coach Chris Lam's message to get things started this spring?
[00:05:11] Speaker C: Well, he's always very excited to get back to it, and I think that makes us excited as well. It was strange at first. It was a small group compared to the 22 or however many we had in the fall to come back. I think we're at 13, so definitely different, but I wouldn't say different in a bad way.
We have to get prepared for the incoming girls, the freshmen, and the transfers. So I think that his kind of mentality was new group, but same goals. Get after it.
[00:05:45] Speaker A: Emerson, what's the biggest thing you've learned about the shockers so far this spring? You've had the matches. Oklahoma, Kansas State played in the tournament in Kansas City. What's popped into your mind about what you've seen from this team so far?
[00:05:58] Speaker B: I mean, I think obviously we lost a lot of our, like, huge hitters that used to put points up on the board for us last year, and so kind of just trying to, like, rebuild and, like, we set, like, the expectations, like, how we want things to go. So it's been nice. Like, we've all been able to, like, work together to, like, kind of, like, focus on how we want the team to be next year. I think so. I think that's been awesome that, like, we could, like, set those expectations.
[00:06:21] Speaker A: Two shockers joined the team at semester. Freshman setter Sarah Mujual and a red shirt freshman outside hitter Alyssa Gonzalez. She's a transfer from TC. You are now two of the more experienced people on this team. Katie, how do you go about integrating new people into the team at semester?
[00:06:38] Speaker C: I think that's a super important aspect on our team and any team, for that matter. Definitely forming relationships early on, especially them coming from new places. Sarah, coming from high school, it's a huge change, and I think no matter how good you are or how prepared you feel, it is definitely different. So just helping them through that, hanging out outside of practice as well, and when we're in there giving them our support and encouraging them while also kind of showing them how we do things, what our culture is like, and just being there to support them through it.
[00:07:14] Speaker A: Emerson, when I asked the coaches about you, they said she's really good at welcoming people, making them feel comfortable, but she's also demanding. She also wants them to find their way, do the right things. How do you strike that right balance with someone who's new?
[00:07:29] Speaker B: Yeah, well, I think just like, what I was kind of saying earlier about, like, setting our expectations, like, oh, like, this is what we want. Like, how we want season to operate, like, how our relationships are important, too. And I think, like, I've tried to develop relationships with both, both Alyssa and Sarah. I mean, I'm going to hang out with them tonight. Like, I think all of us have tried to do a good job of, like, pulling them in and, like, making them know, like, they're a part of the team and stuff, so. But then also they kind of know what we expect or how we want things to operate. So I think that's awesome, too.
[00:07:57] Speaker A: So if you are a shocker volleyball fan listening to this and you are curious about who's maybe somebody who didn't play a whole lot last fall but is really doing some nice things this spring, Katie, who pops into your mind first that people might keep an eye on when they start playing next fall.
[00:08:17] Speaker C: I think that Allie Poulson has really made an impact in the gym as well as our other middles because stout is the only real returner who played a bunch, and I think that that can be difficult, especially with Izzy Andrew, they're not used to Sarah setting it, and that's a relationship that's building, but I think they've done a good job of really working on that, and I'm super excited to see how that develops over the summer and into next fall as well.
[00:08:48] Speaker A: Allie Paulson, I'll remind fans she's a red shirt freshman and over Central. She's also a marketing ga in the baseball for baseball. So if you go to baseball games, you will see Ally out quite a bit, throwing t shirts and things like that. Emerson, who pops into your mind as maybe somebody fans should have in their mind, that might be playing a bigger role this fall.
[00:09:06] Speaker B: Yeah, well, I also, like, totally agree with Katie because also we've had no stout and no Izzy, so we have really been like people who didn't play as much like as they did before. Yeah, like style and Izzy were two very big people you would see last year, but so we've had a lot of people that have just kind of been thrown into different roles. And like I was telling Katie, I was like, Alyssa redshirted last year. So did Allie, so did Haley, so did Maddie. Like, all of them have been playing in spring season. So I think it's just been awesome to see them try to like get back into the groove of what? Like we're playing like all stuff like that because like it is different than high school, without a doubt. So I think it's like awesome for all of them. Kind of like I don't really have anyone in particular. I think it's like it's been all of them because there's only eleven of us that can play right now.
[00:09:46] Speaker C: I mean, to think that they haven't played in a college match yet. Just the speed is completely different and also just the environments, it's nerve wracking, but I think they've handled it super well. And Sarah too. I know she's not, she wasn't here last semester, but I think she's handled herself very well, especially being thrown into such a large role where she's part of every single play. And I think she's done a great job with it.
[00:10:10] Speaker B: We've seen her get way more comfortable too.
[00:10:12] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:10:13] Speaker B: And her and Izzy also like have done a great, like, Izzy's done a great job trying to coach and help Sarah like in any way she can. Even in like the games. She's like helping Sarah with what to run, like in any time. Like Sarah maybe is like confused or doesn't know what to do just because like she hasn't played at this pace before. So it's like, it's really, it's way different. To be honest.
[00:10:29] Speaker C: I think Izzy's done a great job of really helping Sarah and Sarah's done great of taking the information Izzy's giving her as constructive criticism, not Izzy going against her. Dawn, I don't think you find that everywhere when it's your own competition. Izzy's done just a great job of being supportive of Sarah and really supportive of everyone, for that matter.
[00:10:49] Speaker A: Yeah, that's probably worth a little deeper dive. With Izzy strand on the mend, Sarah has stepped in and done the bulk of the setting. Describe her. What will people see from her? What are her skills like?
[00:11:02] Speaker C: She seems like a very, like, content player for me. She's definitely a competitor and she was quieter at first, but I think I'm really starting to see her come out of her shell a little bit. No doubt she's a hard worker. She just had kept going and going and going. She really doesn't get much of a break ever. She's our one setter and also the lifestyle adjustment from high school to here, being away from home, I think she's done a great job with that and I would just expect to see someone who wants to continue to learn and get better? That's what I think of when I see her. And also in the weight room. She's a super hard worker. Didn't miss a beat when she got here.
[00:11:43] Speaker B: No, I've never heard her complain. Never heard anything, like, negative come out of her mouth. And like you said in the weight room, like, she's a really hard worker, too.
[00:11:52] Speaker C: She'd be an ideal person to recruit, in my opinion.
[00:11:54] Speaker A: So, Emerson. Yeah? Are there high school seniors who. Who you would say are not ideal to come in in the spring because of the big adjustment, and then there are some that can handle that fast transition?
[00:12:05] Speaker B: Well, I think even just for me, like, you. Like, you play, like, high school, and you're like, oh, like, you're good in high school. Like, everyone's good in high school, but then you get here, and you're like, no, like, everybody's good here. So, like, you know, it's just, like, a different, like, adjustment or, like, even, like, the nerves you get. Like, I can remember being so nervous, like, when I was first here, and, like, Katie was my closest friend at the time, but Katie wasn't here for, like, that first little bit that I was here. And so I remember being like, I just need Katie. Like, I told my mom, like, I was like, it's just, like, it's a different transition. It's all people you didn't know. But I just hope, like, with the incoming, like, freshman class that we have coming in, that, like, we can do a good job of, like, making them feel a part of the team, which they made us feel a part of the team, too, but just, like, keeping that going and stuff.
[00:12:46] Speaker A: Describe your leadership role. As we mentioned, that you're two of the more experienced shockers. Now, how has that changed during your time here? Katie, you can start with that.
[00:12:55] Speaker C: I think that it's important. Obviously, they're seniors, juniors, whatever. There's kind of the idea of seniority, but I think on our team, the idea of seniority is to be a leader and lead by example. But just cause someone's a freshman doesn't mean they don't deserve something. Or, like, playing and stuff. Like, everyone has the opportunity to play. The only thing people have is experience. But I think that helping them, even though they're a direct competition. I'll never forget when Annalee, in my first game, I was so confused on what Lambo was saying on this certain play, and she took me on the sideline and explained it to me. I was her direct competition, and she took that time to do that. And I remember thinking, that is how I want to be. I want to help them through it, continue to work on stuff myself, but also just be there and also, you know, be their friend if they need that, be their teammate when they need that, and really show them kind of what the team culture is and continue to build that. So when people get here, it stays that way. Even once we're graduated, it continues on after.
[00:13:59] Speaker B: I was telling someone earlier, it's crazy because all the fifth and 6th years are starting to, like, not be a thing anymore because the COVID years are running out. So it's like, weird because, like, we saw, like, the leaders ahead of us. Like, we're the leaders for both years we were here because they still had extra years, but, like, we only have four years. So, like, it's a different, like, it's different to think about for sure how, like, the fifth and 6th years are leaving even in our conference. Like, when you look around, like, a lot of people lost. A lot of people because of the fifth and 6th years.
[00:14:25] Speaker C: Yeah, right.
[00:14:26] Speaker A: Those COVID years are running out. So, Emerson, I guess now we should probably, we've mentioned the people that Wichita State has lost might be helpful to go back. So Briley, Kelly, Sophia Rowling, Natalie Foster, Barbara Kohler, they all played big roles last year. They are all gone. So, Emerson, as you're getting ready for the spring, are you really intentional and cognizant that, hey, I'm going to need to maybe speak up now or I'm going to need to do these things that perhaps these more experienced people did in previous years. How do you approach that as your seniority rises?
[00:14:59] Speaker B: Yeah, I think. I don't really think I'm much of a huge talker or anything. I think I'm like, okay, next ball. We just need to keep going, trying to move things forward. I feel like you're kind of, you're a talker. Like you, Gabby, there's izzy. Those three kind of fill that role better than probably I do, but I feel like I'm always just like, oh.
[00:15:19] Speaker C: Like you're a lead by example.
[00:15:21] Speaker B: I'd much rather lead by example than lead by talking.
[00:15:23] Speaker C: I feel like, I feel like if you make an error, your next ball mentality and watching that, that makes people want to be like that.
[00:15:29] Speaker B: Yeah, just like, keep. I don't know. My dad always talks about this idea of, like, you keep moving, keep pushing forward. Like, how can you just keep going? And that's kind of, I guess what I've adapted to.
[00:15:39] Speaker A: So Katie, the returning group of little should be really strong with yourself. Gabby Moss, Annalee helistee, you mentioned Regan Anderson. Tell us about that. This group this spring, what are you guys working on?
[00:15:51] Speaker C: We continue to work on ball control.
Obviously a huge part of being a little service, even defense. Also, with the new rule of doubles being allowed, we've, from the get go we've been setting all the time second ball. So that's been a big focus. Also, we start out every practice with this drill that we have to just dig a bunch of random balls, running down balls off the block kind of awkward situations, really. We're kind of being disciplined with that and also digging with our hands a lot more to keep plays alive. And then with that setting, running kind of quicker. Out of system balls, I think is a big part of it.
[00:16:35] Speaker A: I'm glad you mentioned the new rule. Yeah, fans are probably going to be curious about that. Explain that.
[00:16:40] Speaker C: So before the rule is made, you'd see it all with setters or that second contact, a double contact kind of when the ball would spin a lot, it would get called. Basically they're contacting it twice. That is no longer a rule. You're allowed to double as long as it stays on your side. You can't send a ball over the net if it, if it's a double contact, that'll get called. But now we can set on our side of the net and it can spin and do whatever and it'll be fine to play.
So because of that, beforehand, mostly only setters would set because it's, it's really an art. It's tough to do to make it clean every single time. But now that that rule is gone, they've encouraged all of us to be setting. It speeds up your offense and it makes it, I mean, it gives us more options in the handset, but. So, yeah, now doubles will not be.
[00:17:35] Speaker B: I think it gives a more in system look to out of system balls, for sure.
[00:17:39] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:17:39] Speaker C: So you less time to wait for that ball to come down, go off your platform. Definitely more control with your hands. But the dig does have to be high enough still. You'll still see plenty of tabletop platform balls, I'm sure. But some of those big moments or those doubles kind of change the game will no longer be there.
[00:17:56] Speaker A: You may have just answered this, but now that you've played some matches with a new rule, how does it change the game?
[00:18:02] Speaker C: I would say speeds up the offense, gives us the opportunity to be more accurate with it. It definitely takes time to go because we train tabletops. I remember when I got here, that was one of my hardest adjustments because in club when I was 18, I kept it very low. Now when you get here, it's basically you're hitting into the block if it's that low. So I got it up, and then right when I feel like I was really starting to get the hang of it, they changed it back to the setting. So I think it won't have. It'll have an impact for sure, but depends on if your setter is able to get to it. If you're a team that's varying system might not affect you a ton, but if you're a team that is out of system, then you're gonna have that option to run a quicker offense. I haven't seen a huge difference this spring. Yeah, but there are. There are moments where I did just go up and take with my hands, where last year I would never have even tried to set it with my hands. I would automatically have tabletop or even.
[00:18:54] Speaker B: I remember at practice, like, someone had doubled the ball and someone yelled double. And it was like, that's not a thing anymore.
[00:18:59] Speaker C: Like, it's weird when you're playing ou, they doubled it over the net, and all of us were kind of, we go, double. They go, that's not a thing. We said, no, you can't do it over the net. So it's still, like, out of habit, I think people, we're still calling them, but you have to keep playing now, so. Yeah.
[00:19:16] Speaker A: So, Emerson, a lot of new faces on the front row with the departures we mentioned, that's gonna change your role. The coaches say you're probably going to be six rotation. They're going to need you to score a lot. How have you prepared for this changing role?
[00:19:30] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, I really kind of was mainly only playing three rows last year when I was playing. So I think I'm just trying to. To develop more in the back row, too. Just, like, passing defense a lot. I've been playing right back, middle back, left back, just trying to figure out, like, where I fit, fit in the best. And I think, like, my back row attacking has gotten a lot better, even just the spring season, and just, like, trying to, like, not be over on balls or just, like, establish a relationship with Sarah, too, on, like, where the balls, like, can be set and stuff like that. And I feel like all of us kind of in the front row, like, Brooklyn, Maddie, Allie, Haley, like, all of us have just kind of been trying to, like, establish our relationships with Sarah so that way, like, we can be a stronger, stronger, strong offensively. Sorry.
[00:20:12] Speaker A: So, Katie, the people around the program, they describe you as a person. You were pretty loud, pretty energetic from the day you walked in the door as a freshman. Did that come naturally? Were you always like that?
[00:20:26] Speaker B: She's always like that. I live with her.
[00:20:29] Speaker C: I do think, like, my personality, I would say I'm outgoing, so I've kind of always been like that. But I remember when I was younger, I was very competitive, and sometimes it came off in a negative way. And one of my coaches said, you need to start making that more positive. You need to talk through stuff. So I just started doing that and it just became a habit. I realized even when I would coach the young girls, I'd be talking through the whole game out loud. So I think when I got here is definitely very natural for me. At first I was like, oh, shoot, is that going to be, like, too much? Especially, you know, as a freshman, I don't want people to think I'm, like, barging in or anything, but I think it did come naturally and I love to hype people up and cheer people on, so I just. That's when I'm most comfortable, when I'm acting like that, and I think I play better when I act like that, so just kept it going.
[00:21:16] Speaker A: So you come from a family with several athletes. You have brothers and sisters who are playing or sisters who are playing college athletics, right?
[00:21:23] Speaker C: Yes, my brother, my brother did in high school and all of that.
[00:21:25] Speaker A: So how do you think that has shaped you to get you where you are?
[00:21:28] Speaker C: Well, the competitiveness, for sure was always there. Family game night was not a thing in our house because it got too intense, like card games. But we would go out and play basketball or volleyball always. And I am so thankful my parents were competitive, too. I think that it just made me want to win and be the best I could at everything did. And just the experiences that I got, showing them how to compete, too. Being the oldest, like, I remember my little sister, my mom was always like, she looks up to you. So kind of developing into the player I am. I think that did have an impact because I knew someone was watching me, someone was looking up to me.
[00:22:11] Speaker B: But even this weekend, her sister. Her sister's going to Omaha. Yeah. And she was at the game watching us play them. And I remember thinking, like, we have to win or Katie's always going to hear about it.
[00:22:20] Speaker C: Yes, or when. Or when. We, we played them in the preseason and then when they made the NCAA tournament over us, we got in a big fight about that, Katie, like, texted me from the dinner table.
[00:22:31] Speaker B: I am so angry right now.
[00:22:33] Speaker C: Yeah, we're at dinner right now, and she's telling me that they're so much better. I'm like, no, they're great, but we beat them, but good for them. But I was like, oh, my goodness. But the competitive drive never, ever stops. And I'm really thankful my whole family was like that, because I think some people don't get it and some people do, but never a dull moment with that, for sure.
[00:22:54] Speaker A: Please tell me there's a story about a monopoly board being thrown or something like that. Family game night.
[00:22:59] Speaker C: I remember, gosh, my little sister, my littlest sister is probably, like, five, maybe she's young and there were some cards thrown and some words said, and she was only five. And I think I do remember there weren't many game nights after that, if any, but we started taking it, like, outside, more of the, I don't know, basketball, woofleball, kickball. Like, anything outside was where we went.
[00:23:29] Speaker A: But family game nights, always a good source of stories. So, Emerson, you would have also grown up in an athletic family with your dad in professional hockey. How did that shape you and get you to where you are?
[00:23:39] Speaker B: Yeah, well, I mean, I think growing up around my. My dad was always a, like, the captain on every, like, ahl hockey team he ever played on. So I think I kind of just learned a lot about, like, leadership. And, like, my dad always stresses, like, the two things you can always control are, like, your effort and your attitude. And so, like, I like to think that, like, I prioritize those things just because that's what I heard a lot, like, growing up, too, and just, I don't know. I think he definitely had a huge impact. Or, like, if I want to talk about volleyball with someone, like. Or, like, just little things, like, I can always talk to him, but, like, I've never felt, like, the pressure of, like, oh, like, you have to. You have to, you have to. Which I think is nice, because I think a lot of people do feel that sometimes from their parents. And I just think. I don't know. I have a brother who plays hockey, too, and I think my dad's just done a really great job of, like, teaching us, like, how we can be the best and, like, what we can do to get there, kind of.
[00:24:26] Speaker A: Do you have a favorite hockey player, favorite hockey team?
[00:24:28] Speaker B: Well, probably the team that my dad coaches for. I have to. So it probably changes every time he gets traded.
[00:24:34] Speaker A: And who does he coach for now?
[00:24:36] Speaker B: Um, he coaches for the saber.
Sorry, I'm laughing at Katie. At Katie. But, um. Yeah, so I feel like probably just wherever. My dad always was who I liked, but I just remember even when we were in Europe, like, after the games, because my dad. Dad finished playing out there, like, you skate around with your kids and, like, the whole crowd is, like, clapping and everything, like, there's just some super cool experiences I got that I don't think a lot of other kids get got together, which I think. I think that is also what kind of shaped me into me. Like, I moved 19 times as a kid, so, like, I feel like I'm pretty, like, adaptable. And, like. So when new people come in, I feel like I, like, want to make relationships with them because I don't want them to feel, like, left out or anything.
[00:25:16] Speaker A: So you've got. You've been there, you've been through that.
[00:25:18] Speaker B: You've been. I feel like I've done a good job handling you.
[00:25:21] Speaker C: No, I think you're great at that, for sure. Thank you so much. I'm kidding.
[00:25:25] Speaker A: I was gonna have each of you say something nice about the.
[00:25:28] Speaker C: Oh, we love that game ever since, say, three dice. Thanks.
[00:25:32] Speaker B: We play that game sometimes.
[00:25:34] Speaker A: Okay, let's go then. Emerson, say something nice about Katie.
[00:25:38] Speaker B: Katie always. I don't even know. Katie does a great job of thinking about me sometimes. Like, last night, she called me and she was like, do you want anything from wherever? She was, like, she always thinks about me, which is really nice.
[00:25:52] Speaker C: Way to make it about you.
[00:25:55] Speaker B: I don't know.
[00:25:56] Speaker A: Was this, let's see, boba or seven brew?
[00:26:00] Speaker B: No, we're Chipotle chick fil a jersey Mikes.
So you wanna find us, that's where we are. Okay.
[00:26:08] Speaker A: All right. Okay. Katie, say something nice about Emerson.
[00:26:12] Speaker C: Well, Emerson's my best friend.
I just love. I think that we're very similar and just anywhere we go, we can have a good time. And I. Sorry.
Also, though, I would say Emerson is someone who I really enjoy playing with on a teammate.
If I have an ideal teammate, I would say Emerson is definitely. You're welcome. Emerson is definitely someone who I love to be teammates with. I remember saying that about Weber, too, and I feel like Emerson and Webber really remind me of each other. Just both very competitive.
Cheer people on, but it's still. There's that intensity, like, we gotta win. We gotta get it done.
[00:26:54] Speaker A: So I'm glad you mentioned Morgan Webber. I really enjoyed watching her.
[00:26:57] Speaker C: I miss her so much.
[00:26:58] Speaker A: I think she did a lot of things for this team. That maybe were not easy to appreciate.
[00:27:04] Speaker C: Let's do Morgan Weber appreciation.
[00:27:07] Speaker B: I love Weber since we first got.
[00:27:09] Speaker C: Three, were always very good friends.
[00:27:11] Speaker B: Well, actually, there's another drink place that we always go to that we didn't mention and that's where else you could find us.
We have a different name for it. Sometimes we forget. But I don't know. I think Webber just offered a lot to the team that, like you said, wasn't always like. I mean, she wasn't like one of the big hitters on our team. So sometimes she kind of went unrecognized. But her ball control was great. She did a great job, like also leading the team. I don't know, a lot of good things.
[00:27:37] Speaker C: Just think she was when you needed something, Webber was the person you go to. You need to get pass. You go to Webber, you need a shot to get out of a tough situation. You went to Weber and I think that, like Emerson said, when you're not this huge, like point scoring necessarily like person, you get overlooked. But I think that Weber contributed so much more that, like you said, people don't see but us as teammates. I always saw, I always was happy to play with Weber. She was definitely one of my closest friends off the court as well. And I think a lot of people could say that about her, that she was just a fun person to be around, looked out for other people. If you needed someone to talk to, she was there. But I miss her, but I'm happy to see where she goes.
[00:28:26] Speaker A: This podcast took a really unexpected nice turn with the Morgan Weber appreciation. You handled that, handled that well. So, Katie, one of the big things I learned about you last fall, coaches were super happy with the way you handled early in the fall. You were not playing very much. You kind of kept at it all the things coaches love. You didn't. You were positive, you kept working and you worked your way back into the lineup. Take us through that. How did you avoid getting kind of discouraged?
[00:28:52] Speaker C: Well, like Emerson was saying earlier, I've also been told you can only control so many things. You control your effort, your attitude. Also your reaction is one that I always keep in mind. I think that I knew I was capable of doing better. I understood why I wasn't playing at first. My stats were not where they needed to be. But I remember thinking if no matter if your stats are good, you had a good practice, you can control your energy, you can control, you can bring more to the team than just a good pass or a good assist or a good serve. So I think that. That was kind of my mentality. And then I think I play best when I'm loose and energetic like that. So that's just kind of what I did. Then slowly I just started working my way back into it, and then I just got very comfortable and kind of kept going with that.
[00:29:39] Speaker A: So, shockers. Are going to Brazil in May. You'll play three matches. Hopefully you'll be there about ten days. Number one question. Do you have your passports?
[00:29:49] Speaker C: Yeah, but our visas.
[00:29:51] Speaker B: I got blocked from going to Brazil because my visa got to.
[00:29:54] Speaker C: I got accepted right away, and I'm not sure how, but. Yeah, our past. Well, Emerson and I've had our passports because we want to go on a trip to Mexico.
We're prepared for that. But the visas has been quite the issue with the team. Some of us are getting approved, some of us aren't.
[00:30:11] Speaker B: But Annalee got her visa back with someone else's face on it.
[00:30:14] Speaker C: Yeah. Anyone has a good person to take pictures or visas, let us know, because we're getting denied left and right.
[00:30:20] Speaker B: Yeah. But I'm super excited for Brisbane. It's awesome that, like, we have the opportunity to meet things. Incoming freshman class earlier than, like. Yeah, a lot of other schools, for sure.
[00:30:30] Speaker A: Yeah. What are you most looking forward to seeing or doing in Brazil, Katie?
[00:30:33] Speaker C: Well, I'm a big beach girl. I think anyone who knows me knows that, so I'm super excited for that. But also just, I've never been out of the country before, so that'll.
[00:30:42] Speaker B: You haven't.
[00:30:42] Speaker C: Mm mm. No, I haven't, actually. And I love to travel, so I don't know. I just never been out, but I'm super excited for that. And also just, I mean, I love volleyball, and so playing somewhere new is going to be super cool, and I think a great experience and to do it with this team will be super fun.
[00:30:59] Speaker A: Emerson, how about you? What are you looking forward to?
[00:31:02] Speaker B: Honestly, I'm just looking forward to being around everybody. And we're gonna play volleyball, but also we're gonna get to see Brazil and kind of just see how it works, how things go out there. So I'm just excited to go somewhere new. I mean, I've been to Europe, Canada, Mexico. It's somewhere I haven't been before, so I'm excited.
[00:31:19] Speaker A: Let's get a fan recommendation. Katie, what are you reading? Watching. Listening to.
[00:31:24] Speaker C: Oh, gosh. Um, I. Okay. I'm a big shopper, and so I'm always watching hauls on what people are getting, whether it be makeup or, like, athletic wear and stuff. Like that.
[00:31:40] Speaker B: I'm watching hauls, too, on what to wear in Brazil.
[00:31:42] Speaker C: Yes. We're definitely planning our Brazil outfits.
[00:31:45] Speaker A: Okay. You're gonna have to educate me on hauls.
[00:31:48] Speaker C: Okay. So when people get stuff from online shopping in person, they'll give a haul. So they'll show what they got, where they got it from, maybe what they're gonna wear it to, and then it kind of like influences. Oh, okay, I'm gonna get that now.
[00:32:03] Speaker B: That was the most us answer we could get, is what we're watching.
[00:32:06] Speaker C: It is what we're watching. Always. We'll send out to each other all the time.
[00:32:10] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:32:11] Speaker A: So Den and Gehrig said he thought you had a career as an influencer. I guess is that. That sounds to be legitimate. Denny knows what he's talking about.
[00:32:20] Speaker B: She's an influencer at heart.
[00:32:23] Speaker C: Yeah. I don't know. Denny brought that up one day. I was like, maybe someday I will. I think I'd struggle if people were.
[00:32:28] Speaker B: Mean to me, though.
[00:32:29] Speaker C: Everyone always says that, like, if there's criticism, but I could totally see myself maybe one day, like, doing that. I don't know. We'll have to see. What do you think?
[00:32:39] Speaker B: Ever since she makes money from it, she's, like, gonna give some money to me. Like, I'm like, I'm gonna help her.
[00:32:45] Speaker C: Okay, we'll see about that.
[00:32:47] Speaker A: There's no reason to wait. I mean, that's the whole nil thing.
[00:32:50] Speaker B: We're gonna start a YouTube channel.
[00:32:51] Speaker C: Emerson and Katie, we went to a.
[00:32:53] Speaker B: Concert last summer, and she filmed a video of us getting ready, doing our makeup. So I think. I think she's ready.
[00:32:59] Speaker A: There you go.
[00:33:00] Speaker C: We'll see.
[00:33:01] Speaker A: Workshop that video, get some notes, and.
[00:33:03] Speaker B: Get her first supporter. Send it to Denning to edit it.
[00:33:08] Speaker C: Yeah, we have the resources here. Let's do it.
[00:33:10] Speaker A: I think that's got potential. Emerson, your advice for a high school athlete who is in the process of deciding on a college, what would you tell them to look for?
[00:33:20] Speaker B: I think just value the people that you're gonna spend time with every single day. Like, we are always around the volleyball team. Like, you're always around the coaches. Like, make sure you have good relationships with them, because at the end of the day, like, that is who you will spend 24 hours with. I mean, I live with. Like, I live with players.
[00:33:34] Speaker C: They'll be your family.
[00:33:35] Speaker B: Yeah. So I think just prioritize those things. I know people. A lot of people say, like, oh, like, look at the school and stuff. But honestly, like, we spend a lot of time with each other. Like, that's what I would have focused on.
[00:33:44] Speaker A: On. I feel like, okay, Katie, how about you?
[00:33:46] Speaker C: I would say go somewhere that feels like home. And I think for me personally, people are a big part of that. Their relationships. Like Emerson said, you are with them all the time. We live together, we go to school together, practice, we work, everything. And so I think finding somewhere where there's people there that have the same beliefs, same all that with you is really important. And, yeah, that's what I would say, go somewhere that feels like home.
[00:34:15] Speaker A: Chakra volleyball. They are wrapping up their spring schedule. They play Kansas and Missouri on Saturday in Lawrence. Katie Galligan and Emerson Wilford, they're very patient. Through some technical difficulties, they took us on a nice detour to Morgan Weber territory. Thank you for your time.
[00:34:30] Speaker C: Thank you.
[00:34:47] Speaker A: Hi, this is Rick Myuma, president of Wichita State University. Check out the latest episode of the Forward Together podcast. Each episode, I sit down with different guests from Shocker Nation to celebrate the vision and mission of Wichita State University. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Thank you for listening to the Roundhouse podcast, courtesy of Wichita State University Strategic Communications. We encourage you to rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can find more roundhouse
[email protected] dot Malcolm out near the timeline, left side of the floor to Baker. Ron works deeper to the wing, fires a three. Good. Ron Baker, with his third three point field goal of the game in Wichita State, goes ahead by four.
