Shockers Picked Third in American Preseason Poll

WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita State was picked third in the American Conference preseason poll announced Tuesday. Redshirt senior right side/outside hitter Brooklyn Leggett was named to the preseason all-conference team.

Rice snagged the top spot on the preseason poll, garnering nine first place votes and 141 total points. South Florida was picked second with four first place votes and 136 points, while the Shockers finished third with 120 points.

Leggett earned preseason all-conference honors after a breakout season in 2024 splitting time both on the left and right side for the Shockers. She played in 30 matches and finished third on the team with 266 kills and second with 2.44 kills per set. She posted 10 matches with double-digit kills and had a career-high 22 kills against Tulsa on November 3. She starred in Wichita State’s American Conference Championship win against Florida Atlantic on November 24 racking up a match-high 13 kills.

South Florida senior outside hitter Maria Clara Andrade was named the American Preseason Player of the Year.

Wichita State is coming off an 18-14 season in 2024, including a 10-6 mark in conference play. The Shockers swept through the American Championship last season and secured the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. WSU opens the 2025 regular season at home against Kennesaw State and Arkansas in the Shocker Volleyball Classic, Aug. 29-31, at Charles Koch Arena. Fans can get a look at the 2025 team on Sat., Aug. 23 at the Black and Yellow Scrimmage at 3 p.m. at Charles Koch Arena. It is free to attend.

Season tickets and single match tickets are available by calling the Shocker Ticket Office at (316) 978-FANS or by going online at GoShockers.com/tickets.

 

American Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll

1. Rice (9)                              141
2. South Florida (4)                136
3. Wichita State                    120
4. East Carolina                     106
5. Florida Atlantic                   100
6. Tulsa                                   91
7. UAB                                    63
8. Tulane                                 62
9. UTSA                                  46
10. Temple                                43
11. Charlotte                             39
12. North Texas                         39
13. Memphis                              28

(#) denotes first place votes

Preseason Player of the Year

Maria Clara Andrade, Sr., OH, South Florida

Preseason All-Conference Team

Jorda Crook, Jr., OPP, UAB*

Kristen Birmingham, Gr., OH, Charlotte

Kai Bailey, Jr., MB, East Carolina

Taryn Gilreath, So., S, East Carolina

Ellie Pate, Jr., OH, East Carolina

Victoria Hensley, Sr., S, Florida Atlantic

Ryann Vik, So., MB, North Texas

Lademi Ogunlana, Sr., MB, Rice

Taylor Preston, Sr., OH, Rice

Savannah Skopal, So., S, Rice

Cindy Tchouangwa, Jr., OH, Rice

Ally Cavanaugh, R-So., OH, South Florida

Maria Clara Andrade, Sr., OH, South Florida*

Avery Burks, Jr., OH, Tulane

Brayden Hipp, Sr., S, Tulsa

Brooklyn Leggett, R-Sr., RS/OH, Wichita State

*denotes unanimous selection