Kent State University
Miami University (OH)
Volleyball Looks to Continue Winning Ways Against Miami, BG
11/7/2013 10:20:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – Seeking a return to the Mid-American Conference Tournament, the Kent State volleyball team hopes to be hitting its stride as the regular season begins to wind down. The Golden Flashes are back on the road with matches at Miami and Bowling Green looking for a pair of victories to secure a postseason spot.
The Golden Flashes picked up a pair of wins over the weekend to even its record in conference play at 6-6 with wins over Buffalo and Akron. There was plenty of drama at the M.A.C. Center, as the Flashes needed five sets to come away victorious in both matches.
On Friday, the Flashes defeated Buffalo for a critical victory as they look to make a late push for a spot in the conference tournament. The two schools entered the weekend with identical 4-6 conference marks with the Bulls holding the head-to-head tiebreaker due to a 3-1 victory over the Flashes in the final week of September. After taking two close sets, the Flashes appeared on their way to a sweep before dropping the next two. They rallied to take the fifth, however, and snap a four-match skid.
Kent State defeated the Zips on Saturday for its first season sweep since 2009 and claimed a full point in this year's PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge. Just as they did in the first encounter at James A. Rhodes Arena, the Flashes and Zips needed five sets to determine a winner. Once again, junior outside hitter Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola took control in the fifth set, posting six of her match-high 15 kills to lead Kent State to victory.
The Flashes hope to continue their success against MAC East schools, entering with a 5-2 record. The first time through the division, they split with this weekend's opponents. Kent State topped the RedHawks in sweeping fashion (3-0), but fell to the Falcons, 1-3.
Flash Facts
- Following her performance this past weekend, Sophomore MB Bridget Wilhelm earned MAC East Offensive Player of the Week honors. Wilhelm posted 2.00 kills/set and a .415 attack percentage in the two victories. It's the second time she has received the award this season.
- 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 9.84 assists/set, which ranks 5th in the conference.
- Senior DS/L Hannah Herc has anchored an improved defense this season and surpassed 400 digs over the weekend, becoming just the third Golden Flash to accomplish the feat in multiple seasons.
- Sophomore OPP Kelly Hutchison leads the team with 2.76 kills/set, while junior OH Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola has played well in conference play with 2.52 kills/set.
Scouting This Week's Opponents
Miami (10-14, 2-10)
- This will be the 71st all-time meeting between the schools, with Miami leading the series 52-18.
- After beginning the year on a five game winning streak, the RedHawks have struggled to find conference wins and are currently on a five game losing streak.
- Sophomore MH Jenny Ingle has led the offense this season with a team high 259 kills, 2.67 kills/set and points with 312. Ingle currently leads the MAC with a .371 hitting percentage.
- Freshman Krista Brakauskas has fit in nicely as the setter with a team high 6.87 assists/set, which is good for 10th overall in the MAC.
Bowling Green (12-12, 8-4)
- This will be the 67th all-time meeting between the conference rivals, with Bowling Green holding a 47-19 advantage in the series.
- The Falcons enter the weekend in second place of the MAC East after splitting their matches last weekend with a win against Miami and a loss at Western Michigan.
- Senior LS Paige Penrod leads the Falcons attack with 288 kills and ranks 9th in the conference at 3.14 kills/set.
- Bowling Green has 3 players ranked in the top 10 for kills/set in the MAC.
- Defensively, senior M Kaitlyn Skinner leads the MAC with 129 total blocks and 1.42 blocks/set.
Next Up
Kent State plays their final road game at Ohio on next Thursday and concludes its regular season Saturday at home against Eastern Michigan on Senior Night.
