Kent State University
Georgetown University
Matchup Against No. 11 Wisconsin Headlines Trip to Badger Classic
9/9/2015 9:12:00โฏPM | Women's Volleyball
The Kent State volleyball team looks to make a statement on the national stage when it competes in a pair of matches at the Badger Classic in Madison, Wis. this weekend. The Golden Flashes will play Georgetown on Thursday (Sept. 10) and No. 11 Wisconsin in the tournament finale on Friday (Sept. 11), which will be aired on BTN2Go.ย
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Thursday, Sept. 10
5 p.m. Kent State vs. Georgetown โ Live Statsย โข ย Video
Friday, Sept. 11
8:30 p.m. ย ย Kent State at #11 Wisconsin โ Live Stats ย โข ย Video (fee required) ย โข ย Audio
LAST TIME OUT
Kent State captured the Golden Flashes Classic team championship for the third consecutive year, this time sharing it as one of three teams that went 2-1 on the weekend. Following a disappointing 3-2 loss to Indiana State in Friday's home opener in which they lost the final six points after leading 10-9, the Golden Flashes finished the weekend strong by defeating Albany (3-2) and Oakland (3-1).
Three Flashes earned all-tournament team honors, led by MVP senior opposite Kelly Hutchison. After matching her career-high with 22 kills in Friday's opener, Hutchison followed with 32 kills and a .410 attack percentage Saturday morning vs. Albany. Sophomore Challen Geraghty led an outstanding defensive effort in the back row with 87 digs and was named Top Libero of the tournament. Sophomore Kelsey Bittinger recorded a double-double in all three matches to also earn all-tournament team recognition.
SCOUTING GEORGETOWN
Georgetown (3-4) enters the weekend with momentum after back-to-back 3-0 victories over Niagara and Morgan State. The Hoyas depend heavily on a freshman class that was ranked 29th by PrepVolleyball.com. Outside hitter Alyssa Sinnette leads the team in kills (3.67 per set) and was named to the Rose Hill Classic All-Tournament Team, averaging 4.25 kills per set and 2.50 digs per set over the weekend. Middle blocker Symone Speech (2.48 kills per set) leads the Hoyas with a .361 attack percentage. Defensively, libero Kenzie Higareda (4.93 digs per set) has been terrific in the back row.
SCOUTING #11 WISCONSIN
No. 11 Wisconsin has won 40 of its last 45 matches dating back to the start of the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Following a loss to Western Kentucky in the season opener, the Badgers have dropped just one set over the last four matches, which included a sweep of No. 18 North Carolina. Three Badgers who earned All-America honors in 2014โsetter Lauren Carlini (1st Team), libero Taylor Morey (2nd Team) and middle blocker Haleigh Nelson (Honorable Mention)โheadline the 2015 squad.ย Outside hitters Lauryn Gillis and Kelli Bates lead the offensive attack and both average a team-best 3.53 kills per set.ย
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTSย
Kent State is 1-3 all-time vs. Georgetown with the lone victory coming in the most recent matchup on September 11, 1999 at the Georgetown Acumen Classic in Washington, D.C. This will be the first ever meeting between the Flashes and Badgers.
UP NEXT
Kent State will head to the West Coast for three matches at the Sacramento State Invitational. The Flashes will play Santa Clara, Sacramento State and Nevada to close out the non-conference slate.
