Now in her second volleyball season at Wichita State University, Whitledge has continued to exercise that do-it-all mentality, despite narrowing her focus to a single sport.

From a recruiting standpoint, Whitledge’s resume spoke for itself. The 2013 THS grad was a two-time All-State volleyball selection and a three-time state champion in the high jump — a lethal combo for college coaches in search of playmakers at the net. But, at just 5-foot-9, she’s a few inches shorter than a traditional outside hitter.

According to WSU coach Chris Lamb, though, the lack of height was just another hurdle the high-flying Whitledge has already proven she can clear.

“It would be a concern if you had a whole team of (shorter) players,” said Lamb, who likened Whitledge to a baseball player who can produce runs, even without home run power. “What you’re hoping for every couple of years is to land a player that can do it all. If they can serve, pass and play good defense, you’re willing to not have the biggest, most powerful point scorer.”

Lamb saw that potential multi-tool asset in Whitledge while she was still a Chieftain and, though it’s taken some time to develop, the transformation has begun to take shape. Whitledge redshirted in 2013 and moved from the front line to what Lamb calls a six-rotation position, where she still plays along the net, but also drops back into a role similar to that of a libero.

“When I was first recruited, that’s what (Lamb) told me he thought I would be doing,” Whitledge said. “We talked about it in my recruiting meeting. He was really excited about my passing and said that’s what would get me on the floor. We put it into action in the spring. This season came around and he tested me out a couple times and liked what he saw.”

After playing in just one set in the Shockers’ first four matches, Whitledge saw time in three sets against North Texas at a tournament Sept. 5 in San Marcos, Texas. She recorded just one kill in the match, but tallied six digs. She racked up a then career-high eight kills in five sets the following day against Texas-San Antonio.

The extended playing time continued the following week at the Creighton Bluejay Invitational, but Whitledge’s progress was temporarily derailed when she suffered a concussion in practice after the tournament. She missed one match entirely while recovering from her injury and struggled in marginal time when she returned.

Any lasting effects of the concussion seemingly vanished Oct. 10 at Missouri State, where Whitledge enjoyed arguably her best match to date. She posted a season-best 15 kills and 13 digs for the first double-double of her career in a 3-2 loss to the Bears.

“I wouldn’t say the concussion was a setback, but it was a realization that you never know when your last game will be,” she said. “It just kind of stuck. Being able to come back into it, I was very excited and still am excited to this day. It’s just a different mentality that I had to take.”

Since her big night against MSU, Whitledge has become a regular in the Shocker lineup. She’s averaged 2.27 kills and 2.4 digs per set in the team’s last eight matches — a substantial jump from her season averages (1.9 and 1.71). She’s posted double-digit kills three times and double-digit digs four times during that stretch.

“She’s getting more and more comfortable,” Lamb said. “She’s doing it all for us right now. As a freshman, she’s already doing a nice job as a point scorer, as well as a passer and defensive player. She’s become a very busy player for us.”

Wichita State avenged its loss to Missouri State on Friday with a 3-2 victory at home. The Shockers are currently 16-8 overall and 10-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference, good for a fourth-place tie with MSU. They have four league matches remaining before the MVC tournament, including three against teams in the top six of the league standings.

“Going into the last bit of the season, it’s the time when you have to overcome all the adversity and just push and train as hard as you did at the beginning of the season,” Whitledge said. “I feel like our team really needs to stick together and focus on these last few weeks.”

The league tournament only includes the top six teams. WSU has already secured a spot, but could still improve its seed. It won the tournament in 2013 and has reached the championship match three years in a row.

The tournament champion will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, but the Shockers could also earn an at-large selection. Lamb has led WSU to the last seven NCAA tournaments, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2012.

How big of a role Whitledge will have in an any additional trips, Lamb said, is solely up to her.

“Not many players get the opportunity to play that six-rotation spot,” he said. “If Jenny wants to commit to volleyball and really focus and learn, if she continues to do that for four years, she could go down as one of the busiest players to pass through here.

“She’s done a nice job with it, but it’s all on Jenny’s shoulders to decide how good she’s going to be.”