Kent State University
University at Buffalo
Kent State Returns Home for Critical MAC Volleyball Matches
10/31/2013 5:23:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – With three weeks remaining in the season, the Kent State volleyball team looks to get closer to returning to the Mid-American Conference Tournament with a pair of matches the M.A.C. Center this weekend. At 4-6 in conference play (10-13 overall), the Golden Flashes sit in a three-way tie for the eighth and final spot in the tournament.
After a strong start to conference play, Kent State has hit a mid-season slump. The Flashes have lost four straight matches and did not win a set this past weekend against a pair of West Division schools. They will look to return to their winning ways as they begin the second time through the East after going 3-2 against those teams earlier in the year.
In addition to a potential return to postseason play, a half-point in the PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge will be on the line Saturday when Kent State hosts rival Akron (6-15, 0-10) at 7 p.m. The Flashes won a thrilling five-set match at Akron to open MAC play back in September and looks to sweep the Zips for the first time since 2009. In the first matchup, Kent State stormed out to a 2-0 lead before Akron stole momentum and evened the match at two sets apiece. However, the Flashes managed to overcome a raucous home crowd at James A. Rhodes Arena in the fifth set to come back and take the final set, 15-10, thanks to the performance of junior Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola. Making her season debut, the junior outside hitter scored five of the Flashes' points in the final set (4 kills, 1 solo block) and finished with a match-high 15 kills.
Kent State holds an early 1.5-0 lead in this year's PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge, which is a year-long 15-sport competition between the rival athletics departments. Saturday's match is one of four meetings between the schools this weekend, as 3.5 points will be up for grabs in total (men's & women's cross country, football, volleyball).
However, the Flashes will have to deal with Buffalo first on Friday night. The Bulls got the best of the Flashes in the first matchup, 3-1. Kent State won the opening set before dropping the next three. Similar to the Flashes, the Buffalo has struggled lately. The Bulls have lost three consecutive matches and won just a single set during that span.
Live stats and a live web stream will be available for both matches. Additionally, Ty Linder will call Friday's action live on the Golden Flashes Radio on iHeartRadio, which fans can listen to on a PC, smart phone or tablet.
Flash Facts
- Senior S Aleksandra Nowak is the leader of the Kent State offense and has been a huge part of the Flashes' marked offensive improvement form last season. Nowak averages 9.92 assists/set, which ranks 5th in the conference.
- Senior DS/L Hannah Herc is in the midst of one of the best season by a back row player in Kent State history and has anchored an improved defense. Herc is 6th in the MAC with 4.55 digs/set and needs just four digs to record the 11th 400-dig season in program history. She tallied 403 digs a season ago and will be just the third players to accomplish the feat multiple times.
- Offensively, Kent State has received contributions from several players with 7 different Flashes leading the team in kills in at least one match. Sophomore MB Bridget Wilhelm, sophomore OPP Kelly Hutchison and junior MB Liz Reikow have all earned MAC East Offensive Player of the Week honors this season.
- Hutchison leads the team with 2.81 kills/set, while freshman OH Bianca Cifaldi is close behind at 2.72 kills/set.
Scouting This Week's Opponents
Buffalo (16-7, 4-6)
- This will be the 31st all-time meeting between the schools, with Kent State leading the series 21-9.
- The Bulls boast one of the nation's best defenses at the net, ranking 15th with 2.80 blocks/set, which is 2nd in the MAC. Sophomore MB Amber Hatchett (1.31) and senior MB Carissa McKenna (1.28) are among the top 35 individually. Both players had five total blocks in the first matchup between the teams, as the Bulls totaled 12 stuffs as a team.
- Senior L Kelly Svoboda is 12th in the country with 5.48 digs/set to help Buffalo hold opponents to .162 hitting on the season.
- Sophomore OH Tahleia Bishop leads the offense with 3.35 kills/set, which ranks 6th in the MAC. Bishop posted a match-high 18 kills against the Flashes earlier in the season.
Akron (6-15, 0-10)
- This will be the 72nd all-time meeting between the conference rivals, with Kent State holding a 37-34 advantage in the series.
- After opening the season 4-0, Akron has struggled to find wins and enters the weekend on an 11-match losing streak.
- In conference matches, the Zips ranks last in every statistical category except service aces, where they rank 11th.
- Senior OH Alex Cocklin leads the Akron attack at 2.84 kills/set, and is one away from 1,000 for her career.
- Sophomore Ashley Holder has filled the setting role in recent matches and averages 5.81 assists/set for the season.
- Senior DS Jill Paluch leads the defense with a 4.20 digs/set average.
Next Up
Kent State goes back on the road next weekend with matches at Miami and Bowling Green.
