Kent State University
University of Evansville
Volleyball Set to Host Hampton Inn Golden Flashes Classic
9/4/2014 1:55:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
2014 Hampton Inn Golden Flashes Classic
The Kent State volleyball team will be in action at the M.A.C. Center this weekend when it hosts the Hampton Inn Golden Flashes Classic. The Golden Flashes will play twice on Friday and conclude the weekend with a Saturday night finale.
The Golden Flashes (2-1) look to continue their winning ways after coming away with a pair of victories on Saturday to conclude the opening weekend of the season at the CofC Invitational in Charleston, S.C. It marked the first winning weekend for the Flashes to open the season since 2010, when they went 3-1 at the Spartan Classic in Norfolk, Va.
Evansville, Morehead State and New Hampshire round out a competitive field that will participate in the six-match Golden Flashes Classic, which features four matches on Friday and two matches on Saturday. Both Morehead State and New Hampshire played in the NCAA Tournament a season ago.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 5
11 a.m. New Hampshire vs. Morehead State • Live Stats
1 p.m. Kent State vs. Evansville • Live Stats • Live Video
5 p.m. New Hampshire vs. Evansville • Live Stats
7 p.m. Kent State vs. Morehead State • Live Stats • Live Video
Saturday, Sept. 6
11 a.m. Morehead State vs. Evansville • Live Stats
6 p.m. Kent State vs. New Hampshire • Live Stats • Live Video
TICKETS
Fans can watch an entire day of volleyball for the price of just one match, as each ticket allows admission to every match that day. Separate tickets must be purchased for each day. The doors to the M.A.C. Center will open an hour before the first match (10 a.m.) each day.
For Saturday's morning match between Evansville and Morehead State only, tickets will ONLY be able to be paid for with cash.
Adults: $5
Seniors and youth: $4
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Live stats will be available for all six matches throughout the weekend. Kent State's three matches will feature a live video stream, while Ty Linder will be on the call for both of the Golden Flashes' Friday matches on the Golden Flashes iHeart Radio channel.
Also, be sure to follow the Flashes on Twitter and Instagram for updates throughout the weekend.
LAST TIME OUT
After a disappointing four-set loss to open the season, Kent State won its next two matches to finish with a 2-1 mark at the CofC Invitational this past weekend. The Flashes won the first set of Friday's match against Mercer, only to see the Bears stormed back to take the next three sets. A total of 12 service errors proved to the difference, as two of the sets the Flashes dropped were by just two points.
Kent State was able to correct its mistakes in the opener to sweep Davidson. The Flashes were able to make plays at critical points, as all three sets were decided by three or fewer points. Trailing 2-1 to host College of Charleston, the Flashes came out on top in a back-and-forth fourth set and went on to cruise to a 15-8 victory in the fifth.
Freshman defensive specialist/libero Challen Geraghty and junior middle blocker Bridget Wilhelm represented Kent State on the all-tournament team. It was quite a debut for Geraghty, who finished the weekend with a team-best 50 digs (4.17 per set). She led the Flashes in digs in the final two matches, including a career-high 22 against Davidson. Wilhelm helped Kent State control play at the net and total 21 kills (1.75 per set) and 12 blocks (1.00 per set). She had seven blocks in the opener against Mercer, finishing one short of her career-best.
Freshman outside hitter Kelsey Bittinger was terrific in her first collegiate outing, leading the Flashes with 42 kills (3.50 per set) and posting a double-double in all three matches. Bittinger got off to a fast start with seven kills in the first set of the season and finished the match with 19 kills and 16 digs. Senior outside hitter Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola helped fuel the Flashes' attack with 33 kills (3.30 per set).
MAC RANKINGS
Kent State ranks near the top of the Mid-American Conference in almost every statistical after the first weekend of the season. A terrific defensive performance has the Flashes leading the MAC in both opponent attack percentage (.139) and blocks per set (2.92) and third in digs per set (16.42). Kent State also ranks fifth in attack percentage (.188), sixth in aces per set (1.17) and seventh in kills per set (11.83) and assists per set (10.83).
Individually, senior Liz Reikow is second in the conference with 1.25 blocks per set, while Bridget Wilhelm is seventh (1.00). Kelsey Bittinger ranks fourth in kills per set (3.50) and freshman Brittney Jakscht also ranks fourth in assists per set (9.67). Challen Geraghty is sixth in the conference at 4.17 digs per set.
SCOUTING EVANSVILLE
Evansville (0-4) lost to Austin Peay at home on Tuesday following a winless opening weekend at the Belmont Tournament. The Purple Aces are led by freshman outside hitter Genesis Miranda, who has posted on 2.891 kills per set this season, while outside hitter Ashley Ring adds 2.69 kills per set. The defense is led by defensive specialist/libero Kim Deperez (4.62 digs per set) and middle blocker Meaghan Holmes (1.38 blocks per set).
The Aces have found success early in the season with their blocking game and average 2.69 blocks per set. They have really struggled with their serving and have just 8 aces to 45 errors.
SCOUTING MOREHEAD STATE
Morehead State (0-3) is coming off a challenging opening weekend in which it dropped all three of its matches at its home tournament, but the perennial Ohio Valley Conference powerhouse was picked first in the league's preseason poll. The Eagles have played in the NCAA Tournament in six of the past seven seasons and have won 20 or more matches in eight consecutive seasons.
Three Morehead State players received Preseason All-OVC recognition, led by middle blocker Laura McDermott. The redshirt senior averaged 2.25 kills per set and 0.92 blocks per set over opening weekend. Middle Blocker Hannah Sigala earned all-tournament team honors at the Eagle Challenge after posting 2.58 kills per set, 1.00 blocks per set and a .379 attack percentage.
SCOUTING NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire (1-2) is coming off a win in its final match at the UConn Classic this past weekend. The Wildcats are led offensively by outside hitter Tori Forrest, who earned all-tournament team accolades after posting 4.08 kills and 2.17 digs per set over the weekend. Setter Taylor Dunklau garnered America East Setter of the Week honors and averages a conference-best 10.33 assists per set. Defensive specialist/libero Madison Lightfoot anchors the back row with 5.33 digs per set.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State has a favorable history in matchups with this weekend's competition. The Flashes are unbeaten (2-0) against both Evansville and New Hampshire. Both victories over Evansville went the distance, with the most recent matchup coming in Dayton during the 2009 season. The Flashes' most recent matchup with New Hampshire came on the Wildcats' home court in 2002 and also took five sets for the Flashes to come out on top. Kent State is just 1-4 all-time against Morehead State, but that lone victory is also the only time the teams have met in Kent. The Flashes swept the Eagles in that matchup back in 2003. Most recently, Morehead State topped the Flashes, 3-2, in 2009.
UP NEXT
Kent State travels to Morgantown, W. Va next weekend for the Mountaineer Invitational on Sept. 12-13. The Flashes are scheduled to play host West Virginia, Saint Francis (Pa.) and Montana at the two-day tournament.
