Kent State University
University of Akron
Volleyball Returns to M.A.C. Center to Host Akron and Buffalo
10/2/2014 2:18:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State volleyball team (8-7, 0-2 MAC) returns to the M.A.C. Center for a pair of Mid-American Conference matches this weekend as its hosts East Division rivals Akron and Buffalo on Friday and Saturday.
Coming off a 0-2 weekend to open conference play, the return to the M.A.C. Center could not come at a better time for the Golden Flashes. Kent State, which has exceled on its home floor and fed off the energy and enthusiasm of its fans, is 4-0 at the M.A.C. Center this season.
The Golden Flashes will get the weekend started against the rival Zips on Friday. Early bragging rights are on the line in the first of two matchups as part of this year's PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge. The Flashes will return to the court to take on the Bulls on Saturday. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Fans that are unable to make it out to the M.A.C. Center can follow all of the action online with live stats and video available on KentStateSports.com. Fans can also listen to both matches live on the Golden Flashes iHeart Radio channel.
Also, be sure to follow the Flashes on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as the Kent State Volleyball Blog.
FALL FOOD FIGHT
Kent State's fall sports teams are holding a "Fall Food Fight" to collect non-perishable food items to help restock the shelves at the Center of Hope in Ravenna, Kent Social Services and the Kent State Food Pantry.
Fans are encouraged to support the "Fall Food Fight" by bringing canned goods and non-perishable food items with them to games. Donation bins will be located inside the lobby area of the M.A.C. Center at volleyball matches throughout the season.
LAST TIME OUT
For the first time under third-year head coach Don Gromala, Kent State was unable to earn a victory in its opening match of the MAC season. The Flashes split the first two sets with Ohio, but inconsistent offense led to a 3-1 loss to the defending conference champions Thursday night in Athens. The Flashes headed up to Eastern Michigan on Saturday. Following a terrific start on offense, the Flashes were unable to come up with points at the critical moments and suffered a 3-0 loss for the first time this season.
As a team, Kent State hit just .152 over the two matches compared to .239 by its opponents. While a strong blocking effort at the net fueled the Flashes during the opening month of the season, they managed just 1.43 blocks per set. Kent State's back row was busy as a result and posted a MAC-best 20.86 digs per set.
Senior outside hitter Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola continued to lead the offense with 25 kills. Senior middle blocker Liz Reikow and freshman outside hitter Kelsey Bittinger added 20 and 12 kills, respectively. Freshman setter Brittney Jakscht performed well in her first conference action with 74 assists.
The defense was led by freshman defensive specialist/libero Challen Geraghty who led the Flashes with 43 digs. Junior defensive specialist/libero Sarah Mills and Bittinger also contributed double-figure digs in both matches. Mills finished the week with 32 digs while Bittinger added 25.
SCOUTING AKRON
Akron (7-10, 1-1 MAC) snapped its five-match skid by defeating Bowling Green in straight sets (26-24, 26-24, 25-22) on Saturday evening at James A. Rhodes Arena. The Zips went 6-9 in their non-conference slate and was winless in road matches (0-3).
An inefficient offense has plagued the Zips so far this season, as they rank 10th in the MAC in both kills per set (11.76) and hitting percentage (.156). They have hit better than .200 just five times, but are unbeaten in those matches. Akron has served tough and ranks 18th in the MAC at 1.69 aces per set.
Akron has not found a go-to pin hitter yet, as it does not have any players averaging at least 2.5 kills per set. Sophomore outside hitter Amanda Bedell paces the offense at 2.43 kills per set. Junior middle blocker Kelsey Wilson averages a team-best 2.86 points per set and can score is many different ways. Wilson averages 1.84 kills, 0.73 blocks (8th nationally) and a MAC-leading 0.55 aces per set. Sophomore defensive specialist Callie Mack leads the defense with 3.93 digs per set.
Senior middle blocker Mary Delich was excellent in last week's matches to open conference play. Delich posted 3.57 kills per set and hit .362 to lead the Zips' attack. She also added 1.14 blocks per set at the net on defense. Junior setter Ashley Holder handed out 11.33 assists per set in the two matches.
SCOUTING BUFFALO
Buffalo (12-4, 2-0 MAC) enters the weekend as the conference's hottest team after winning its past five matches. After sweeping Bowling Green and Miami last weekend, the Bulls have now won 12 straight sets. The Bulls' strength is up front where they have dominated play at the net. Buffalo leads the MAC in kills per set, assists per set and opponent hitting percentage and rank in the top 35 nationally in both kills per set and opponent hitting percentage. It ranks second in the MAC in hitting percentage and third in blocks per set.
Junior outside hitter Tahleia Bishop leads the Buffalo offense with 4.67 kills per set to rank 10th in the country. Bishop has posted double-digit kills in 15 consecutive matches after failing to do so in a season-opening loss to Lehigh. Junior outside hitter Megan Lipski adds 2.55 kills per set to the Bulls' attack. Junior setter Marissa Prinzbach, a transfer from Connecticut, has run the offense fluidly. Prinzbach ranks 25th in the country with 11.02 assists per set.
Junior middle blocker Akeila Lain leads a strong blocking unit and ranks second in the MAC at 1.19 blocks per set. Fellow junior Amber Hatchett adds 0.84 blocks per set. Freshman defensive specialist Niki Bozinoski averages a team-best 3.60 digs per set.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State leads the all-time series with both Akron and Buffalo. The Flashes are 37-34 against the Zips and 26-9 against the Bulls. Last season, Kent State swept Akron and split its matches against Buffalo with the home team coming away victorious in both matches.
NEXT UP
The Flashes will go back on the road to continue MAC play next weekend with matches at East Division foes Bowling Green and Miami.
