Grace Hett and Olivia Brown are enjoying a unique transition to college volleyball in their first weeks at Wichita State. It's late May and they are 10-plus practices in with new teammates and getting ready for matches in Brazil.
Alyssa Gonzales gave them nicknames (Hett is G-Dawg; Brown is Ollie). They got a dose of Katie Galligan's energy and enthusiasm.
"Katie is really good at hyping you up," said Hett, a freshman defensive specialist from Marion. "She is there screaming in my ear. It gives me confidence."
The Shockers are in Brazil this week to start an exhibition tour in which they plan to play four matches over 10 days.