Gabi Maas loves the chicken strips at Shocker Hall's cafeteria. Food is always a good place to start building friendships.
"With ranch," she said. "I'm like a child."
Meals on campus is where the Wichita State liberos began forming a bond among the ones who dive on the floor, take 60 mph spikes off their hands, and are generally overshadowed by their taller, bouncier teammates. Last spring, Maas transferred to Wichita State and her integration into the group of back-row defenders started with a simple invitation from teammates such as Katie Galligan.
"She was always including me to come out with them, go to lunch with them, go to dinner," Maas said.