WICHITA, Kan. – Host and No. 4 seed Wichita State swept No. 1 South Florida (25-21, 26-24, 25-22) in the semifinals of the 2024 American Volleyball Championship on Saturday, November 23 to advance to the championship match.
The sweep marked the first time this season that the Shockers have swept opponents in back-to-back matches, having swept No. 5 Tulsa in the first round of the tournament.
The Shockers (17-13) were led by Morgan Stout, finishing with 11 kills at a .276 clip. Madison Wilson added 9 kills for the Shockers. Wichita State was paced by Izzi Strand, who finished with 30 assists, while adding 13 digs to led the Shockers on the defensive side.
Four Shockers had multiple blocks in the match – Stout (3), Wilson (2), Emerson Wilford (2) and Brooklyn Leggett (2), and finished with five blocks as a team. Wichita State held South Florida to a season-low .112 attack percentage.
American Player of the Year Maria Clara Andrade led the Bulls (19-10) with 10 kills, while adding 10 digs to record a double-double. Caroline Dykes paced the Bulls with 31 assists, while leading South Florida with 11 digs.
The Shockers will take on No. 6 Florida Atlantic in the championship match on Sunday, November 24 at 1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT.
2024 American Athletic Conference Volleyball Championship Schedule
Hosted by Wichita State | Charles Koch Arena | Wichita, Kansas
First Round Games (Friday, November 22)
Game 1 – No. 6 Florida Atlantic 3, No. 3 East Carolina 2 (25-22, 25-27, 21-25, 25-12, 16-14)
Game 2 – No. 2 Rice 3, No. 7 North Texas 1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-17, 25-19)
Game 3 – No. 1 South Florida 3, No. 8 UAB (25-13, 25-23, 13-25, 25-22)
Game 4 – No. 4 Wichita State 3, No. 5 Tulsa 0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-22)
Box Score | Highlights
Semifinal Games (Saturday, November 23)
Game 5 – No. 6 Florida Atlantic 3, No. 2 Rice 2 (23-25, 14-25, 25-22, 25-20, 15-10)
Game 6 – No. 4 Wichita State 3, No. 1 South Florida 0 (25-21, 26-24, 25-22)
Box Score | Highlights
Final (Sunday, November 24)
Game 7 – No. 6 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 4 Wichita State (1 pm ET/12 pm CT) | Stats | ESPN+
