Kent State University
Miami University (OH)
Flashes Host Bobcats on Thursday, Travel to Mt. Pleasant for Saturday MAC Contest
9/30/2015 3:50:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Kent State volleyball team continues Mid-American Conference play this week against the defending conference champion at the M.A.C. Center before hitting the road for a cross-divisional season this weekend. The Golden Flashes (7-7) host Ohio at 7 p.m. Thursday and play at Central Michigan at 8 p.m. Saturday.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Thursday, Oct. 1
7 p.m. Ohio at Kent State – Live Stats • Video • Audio
Saturday, Oct. 3
8 p.m. Kent State at Central Michigan – Live Stats • Video
LAST TIME OUT
Kent State opened the MAC season by splitting a pair of matches at the M.A.C. Center last weekend. The Flashes came out on the short end of a 3-2 (25-16, 22-25, 23-25, 25-22, 9-15) decision to Miami in Friday's conference opener and then put together a complete team performance to take care of Bowling Green on Saturday, 3-1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-19, 25-21).
The Flashes hit .263 over the two matches and received outstanding performances at the pin position. Outside hitter Kelsey Bittinger led the way in both matches and finished with 38 kills (4.22 per set) and a .353 hitting percentage. Bittinger added 25 digs (2.78 per set) and 8 blocks defensively. Opposite Kelly Hutchison provided another reliable offensive option and posted 31 kills (3.44 per set) while hitting .282. Hutchison also made an impact defensively with 27 digs (3.00 per set). Outside hitter Amy Kober (16 kills), middle blocker Bridget Wilhelm (16 kills) and middle blocker Drew Norberg (15 kills) also contributed double-digit kills for the Flashes.
Setter Katarina Kojic displayed her versatility while coordinating the Kent State offense. Kojic averaged 10.67 assists and 3.00 digs per set and led the Flashes with 5 service aces.
The Flashes were all over the court defensively, resulting in a 17.56-13.56 advantage in digs per set. Libero Challen Geraghty led the way with 45 digs (5.00 per set) and defensive specialist Sam Jones added 23 digs (2.56 per set). Wilhelm was a presence at the net with 14 blocks (1.56 per set).
SCOUTING OHIO
Ohio (12-3, 2-0 MAC) is received votes in this week's AVCA Division I Coaches Poll after defeating Bowling Green (3-0) and Miami (3-1) last weekend to extend its MAC regular season winning streak to 26 matches. The Bobcats' most impressive win was a 3-0 sweep at No. 10 Kentucky on September 1. They are 3-2 on the road with losses Purdue and Louisville.
Two-time All-American and MAC Player of the Year Abby Gilleland (10.27 assists per set, 3.00 digs per set) runs the show for the Bobcats. The senior setter displayed her versatility on the opening weekend of conference play and was named MAC East Division Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. Outside hitter Jaime Kosiorek is the team's top hitter at 3.32 kills per set.
Libero Meredith Ashy (5.39 digs per set) was the 2014 MAC Defensive Player of the Year and ranks 11th in the country in digs per set this season. Ashy's 43 digs in a five-set win over Xavier are the most by a Division I player this season.
SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Central Michigan (6-9, 1-1 MAC) enters the weekend winners in three of its last four matches. The Chippewas, who will play at Eastern Michigan on Thursday, lost to Northern Illinois and then defeated Western Michigan to open conference play last weekend. The win over the Broncos was the first road victory of the season (1-4).
Outside hitter Jordan Bueter leads CMU with 3.22 kills per set and 22 service aces, while adding 2.62 digs per set. Outside hitters Jessica Meichtry (2.42 kills per set) and Taylor Robertson (2.37 kills per set) are also key attackers at the pin.
Defensive specialist Jamison Wolffis leads the defense with 4.15 digs per set. Middle blocker Angelique White averages 1.07 blocks per set to help the Chippewas rank third in the MAC (2.23 blocks per set).
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State owns a 24-49 record all-time against Ohio. Since defeating the 18th-ranked Bobcats on October 10, 2013, the Flashes have lost four times to the Bobcats.
While Kent State is 17-30 all-time against Central Michigan, it has won 13 of the previous 18 meetings dating back o the 1999 season. The Golden Flashes are 8-2 in Mount Pleasant during that time.
UP NEXT
Kent State will complete its first time through the MAC East Division next weekend with road matches against Buffalo and Akron. Saturday's match against the rival Zips is part of this the Wagon Wheel Challenge, which Kent State currently leads 1-0.
