Kent State University
Morgan State University
Volleyball Set to Open 2015 Season at Maryland Invitational
8/26/2015 1:20:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State has high expectations as it begins the 2015 volleyball season at the Maryland Invitational this weekend (Aug. 28-29) in College Park, Md. The Golden Flashes are scheduled to play four matches over two days at the Maryland Invitational.
The competitive tournament field, which is part of Kent State's daunting non-conference schedule, includes Duquesne, Hofstra, Morgan State and host Maryland.
Head coach Don Gromala likes the depth of his team at every position. That depth will be tested from the start, as the Flashes will play back-to-back matches on Friday against Morgan State and 2014 NCAA Tournament participant Hofstra at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively. On Saturday, the Flashes will take on Duquesne at 3 p.m. before playing the host Terrapins in front of a hostile crowd at 8 p.m. to conclude the weekend.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, August 28
3:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Morgan State – Live Stats
5:30 p.m. Kent State vs. Hofstra – Live Stats
Saturday, August 29
3:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Duquesne – Live Stats
8:00 p.m. Kent State at Maryland – Live Stats
RETURNING FLASHES
The Golden Flashes have plenty to continue building on last year's 17-14 record, as five starters and the libero position return in 2015. Sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Bittinger (2.49 kills per set), senior middle blocker Bridget Wilhelm (2.07 kills per set) and senior opposite Kelly Hutchison (1.82 kills per set) three of the team's top five leaders in kills provide the Flashes with three of last year's top five offensive weapons. Bittinger (2.86 digs per set) and Wilhelm (90 blocks) were second on the team in digs and blocks, respectively. Sophomore Brittney Jakscht (9.21 assists per set) also returns after serving as the Flashes' primary setter last season.
Sophomore libero Challen Geraghty (4.48 digs per set) earned MAC All-Freshman Team accolades after collecting the third-most digs (551) in program history in 2014. Senior Sarah Mills (2.56 digs per set) had a strong finish to the season with double-digit digs in 9 of the final 10 matches.
RECRUITING CLASS EARNS RECOGNITION
For the second year in a row, PrepVolleyball.com ranked Kent State's recruiting class among top 100 in the nation. The ranking only considered the four freshmen in this year's class—Darby Connors, Sam Jones, Amy Kober and Lexi Mantas. However, junior Katarina Kojic is also a big part of this class, as she has won at every level and brings two seasons of collegiate experience. Mantas was recognized by PrepVolleyball.com as one of the top 250 recruits in the class of 2015.
CAPTAINS NAMED
Head coach Don Gromala designated seniors Sarah Mills and Bridget Wilhelm and sophomore Kelsey Bittinger as team captains for the 2015 season. Mills is Kent State's active leader in digs (628), while Wilhelm leads all current Flashes in matches started (60), hitting percentage (.271) and blocks (181). Bittinger was second on the team in kills (279), kills per set (2.49), digs (320) and digs per set (2.86).
BLUE & GOLD SCRIMMAGE OFFERS GLIMPSE OF 2015 FLASHES
Gold defeated Blue, 3-1 (26-24, 26-24, 17-25, 25-16), in Kent State's annual Blue and Gold Scrimmage Saturday evening at the M.A.C. Center.
The Gold squad was led by senior Kelly Hutchison, who had a game-high 16 kills. Sophomore Kelsey Bittinger recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs. Junior Katarina Kojic had 27 assists to go with 4 service aces and sophomore Challen Geraghty tallied 26 digs.
Sophomore Heather Younkin led the Blue team with 12 kill, while sophomore Brittney Jakscht tallied 28 assists and 4 service aces. The defense was led by junior Maddie Moxley's 13 digs and freshman Darby Connors' 4 blocks.
SCOUTING MORGAN STATE
Morgan State was picked to finish fourth of six teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Northern Division in the conference's preseason poll. The Lady Bears bring back 10 letterwinners and four starters from last season's squad that went 13-13. Leading the group of returners are right side hitter Arianna Hayden (2.65 kills per set), who earned Third Team All-MEAC honors last season, and setter Carmen Fernandez (9.70 assists per set). Overall, Morgan State returns three of its top four leaders in kills from last season.
SCOUTING HOFSTRA
Hofstra has played in two of the last three NCAA Tournaments and its 28 wins a season ago were the most since 1989. Setter Hannah Klemm (11.67 assists per set) was a Colonial Athletic Conference Setter of the Year in 2014 after ranking fifth in the country in assists per set. Middle blocker Veronika Kostova (2.39 kills per set) is the only player who recorded more than 50 kills a season ago, as the Pride will feature 10 newcomers that will look to replace major offensive contributors.?
SCOUTING DUQUESNE
After a tough start to conference play last season, Duquesne won nine straight matches before dropping its final three matches to finish with a 16-12 record. The Dukes bring back four starters, led by middle blocker Lacey Levers (2.45 kills per set). Levers hit a team-best .365 to help Duquesne post a .256 hitting percentage, which ranked 34th nationally. Outside hitter Molly Davet (2.14 kills per set) was an Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie Team selection.
SCOUTING MARYLAND
Maryland struggled as it transitioned to the Big Ten a year ago, finishing 10-21 overall and just 3-17 in conference play. The Terrapins opened the year with six straight wins before 2013 All-ACC Third Team performer Adreene Elliott (3.93 kills per set) was lost for the season with an injury. Defensive specialist/libero Amy Dion (3.31 digs per set) returns as the Terrapins' top back row player.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State is 8-4 all-time against the tournament field. The Flashes own a 6-2 record vs. Duquesne with a 3-1 loss at home in the most recent meeting in 2011. Kent State has swept Morgan State in both of its previous matchups and is 0-2 vs. Maryland. This will be the first time the Flashes play Hofstra.
UP NEXT
Kent State will open its 11-match home schedule at the M.A.C. Center when it hosts Albany, Indiana State and Oakland for the 2015 Golden Flashes Classic on Sept. 5-6.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets are on sale and can be purchased for just $35. Call the Kent State Ticket Office at 330-672-2244 to order or for more information visit KentStateSports.com.
