Natsumi Kurahashi remembers a lot of tears.
Then she remembers Wichita State women's tennis coach Colin Foster telling her a story about a former Shocker. Kurahashi endured a tough practice match last spring. Foster told her about Sarvinoz Saidhujaeva, current graduate manager and former Shocker.
"I played so bad, and I got so emotional," Kurahashi said.
Saidhujaeva played No. 6 singles early in her career with the Shockers before ascending to the No. 1 spot in the singles lineup. Foster can think of plenty of other Shockers who followed a similar path that he can use as examples of perseverance.