Kent State University
Ohio University
MAC Race Heats Up As Volleyball Returns to Action This Weekend
11/5/2015 11:07:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Thursday, Nov. 5
7 p.m. Kent State at Ohio – Live Stats • Video
Saturday, Nov. 7
7 p.m. Eastern Michigan at Kent State – Live Stats • Video • Golden Flashes Radio
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 lead the conference in kills (13.12 per set) and rank second in hitting percentage (.238) in assists (12.27 per set) and third service aces (1.34 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 average 3.67 kills per set each to provide the Flashes with the top hitting duo in the MAC. At 4.13 points per set, Bittinger ranks third in the MAC, Hutchison ranks fourth with 4.10 points per set. During conference play, Hutchison is second with 4.24 points and 3.85 kills per set. Bittinger ranks third in both points (4.12) and kills (3.64) per set. She also leads all pin hitters with a .294 hiting percentage, which is 10th among all players..
Kojic leads the MAC in service aces (0.42 per set) and is second in assists (10.29 per set).
Sophomore Challen Geraghty is the defensive anchor in the back row and leads the conference with 5.40 digs per set. Senior Bridget Wilhelm is fourth in hitting percentage (.325) and fifth in blocks (1.04 per set).
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State owns a 24-50 record all-time against Ohio. Since defeating the 18th-ranked Bobcats on October 10, 2013, the Flashes have lost five times to the Bobcats.
The Flashes are 17-34-1 all-time against Eastern Michigan. Last season, the Eagles defeated the Flashes in Ypsilanti on the opening weekend of MAC play, but Kent State avenged the loss by beating EMU in the opening round of the MAC Tournament.
