Kent State University
Northern Illinois University
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Volleyball Looks to Keep Rolling as Second Half of MAC Season Begins on the Road
10/22/2015 11:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State will take a five-match winning streak with it on the road this weekend to start the second half of the Mid-American Conference season.
The Golden Flashes (12-8, 6-2 MAC) will take on the top two teams in the MAC West standings, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan, to begin a span of five consecutive road contests. Friday's match will be streamed on ESPN3, while a fee is required to view the video stream on Saturday.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Oct. 23
8 p.m. Kent State at Northern Illinois – Live Stats • Video
Saturday, Oct. 24
7 p.m. Kent State at Western Michigan – Live Stats • Video (subscription required)
FLASHES AMONG MAC LEADERS
As a team, Kent State ranks among the top four in the Mid-American Conference in six of seven statistical categories. The Golden Flashes rank second in hitting percentage (.231) and third in kills (12.88 per set), assists (12.00 per set) and service aces (1.37 per set). Kent State's .392 hitting percentage in the season-opening sweep of Morgan State is the highest mark by a MAC team this season. The Flashes also hold single-match bests of 78 kills, 76 assists and 106 digs in their matchup with Albany on September 5, which also featured several standout individual performances. Junior Katarina Kojic recorded 71 assists for the Flashes, which is the second-most by any NCAA Division I player since at least the 2013 season. Senior Kelly Hutchison smashed 32 kills in the match, which is tied for seventh in the country this season and is second in the Kent State record book.
Sophomore Kelsey Bittinger and Hutchison provide the Flashes with the top scoring duo in the MAC. At 4.11 points per set, Bittinger ranks third in the MAC while ranking fourth in kills (3.67 per set). Hutchison ranks fifth in the league in both points (3.87 per set) and kills (3.41 per set). Kojic is second in assists (9.84 per set) and service aces (0.40 per set).
Sophomore Challen Geraghty is the defensive anchor in the back row and ranks second in the conference with 5.13 digs per set. Senior Bridget Wilhelm is fourth in hitting percentage (.341) and blocks (1.12 per set).
SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Preseason MAC West favorite Northern Illinois (11-9, 7-1 MAC) is playing some of its best ball of the season and has won five straight heading into Friday night. The Huskies lead the conference with a .234 hitting percentage and All-MAC setter Alexis Gonzalez ranks third in assists per set (9.84).
Outside hitter T'ara Austin is having a sensational sophomore season, averaging a MAC-best 4.36 kills per set overall and 5.43 kills per set during conference play. Outside hitter Lauren Zielinski (2.18 kills per set) has stepped up during the conference season with 2.93 kills per set and a .339 hitting percentage.
After playing in just three sets again non-conference opponents, middle blocker Chrystal McAlpin leads the MAC with 1.37 blocks per set in conference play. McAlpin was thrust into the lineup to replace All-MAC middle blocker Jenna Radtke (MAC-leading 1.28 blocks per set). Libero Anna Brereton leads the back row of the defense with 4.30 digs per set.
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan (10-13, 6-2 MAC) has won three straight and five of its last six entering the weekend. The Broncos are strong defensively, ranking third in the MAC in blocking (2.18 per set) and holding opponents to a .164 hitting percentage during the conference season.
Middle blocker Sydney LeMay, a preseason All-MAC pick, leads the Broncos offensively with 2.72 kills per set. During MAC play, the sophomore lefty has posted 3.06 kills per set. Outside hitter Alysia Baznik is second on the team in kills (2.44 per set) and digs (3.15 per set).
Middle blocker Nicole Kinser is one of the top blockers in the MAC, averaging 1.19 blocks per set to rank second in the conference. Defensive specialist Hailey Knecht is a three-time MAC West Defensive Player of the Week honoree and ranks fourth in the conference in digs (4.85 per set).
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State is only 7-27 record all-time vs. Northern Illinois, but head coach Don Gromala owns one of those victories, as the Golden Flashes defeated the Huskies, 3-1, at the M.A.C. Center in 2012.
The Flashes are 12-35 all-time vs. Western Michigan after a four-set victory last season to snap a six-match losing streak.
Kent State has not won in DeKalb or Kalamazoo since the 2007 season, when the Flashes earned victories on consecutive nights to improve to 8-2 in conference play.
NEXT UP
Kent State continues it five-match road swing next weekend when it visits MAC East foes Bowling Green and Miami.
