Bittinger, Geraghty Sweep Weekly MAC East Volleyball Honors
8/30/2016 12:32:00โฏPM | Women's Volleyball
CLEVELAND, Ohio โ Following a successful opening weekend at the Holiday Inn Orlando East/UCF Invitational, Kent State swept the Mid-American Conference East Division weekly awards. Junior outside hitter Kelsey Bittinger was named Offensive Player of the Week and junior libero Challen Geraghty was named Defensive Player of the Week.
Bittinger earned all-tournament team honors after leadingย the Golden Flashes with 51 points (4.25/set), 45 kills (3.75/set) and a .260 hitting percentage, while ranking second with 31 digs (2.58/set) and 3 aces. The Preseason All-MAC East selection posted at least 14 kills in all three four-setters. Her best performance came in the opener vs. Stetson, as she had 16 kills with a .333 hitting percentage, 9 digs and matched a career-high with 3 aces.
Geraghty totaled 69 digs (5.75/set) to bolster a Flashes defense that limited opponents to a .172 hitting percentage, which included threeย sets of more errors than kills. In the opener, Geraghty helped Kent State hold Stetson to a .089 hitting percentage, the lowest by an opponent since Nov. 21, 2014 (Easter Michigan, .080). As she has done throughout her career, Geraghty was at her best against the Flashes' the toughest opponent with 28 digs and 27 flawless serve receptions against UCF.
The reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year moved into fourth on Kent State's career digs list (1,280), surpassing Kristen Barr and Danielle Holt, and is the only junior in the country among the top 25 active players in career digs. She also ranks second among active players in career digs per set (5.12).
Kent State (2-1) hosts Boise State and Wright State for the Golden Flashes Classic on Friday and then looks for its first victory over a Power Five opponent since 2010 against Tennessee on Saturday night.
Ace Season Flex Passes are on sale and can be purchased for just $35. Call the Kent State Ticket Office at 330-672-2244 to order or for more information, visit KentStateSports.com.ย ย
