Kent State University
Ball State University
Volleyball Readies for Road Tests at Ball State, Toledo
10/13/2016 5:41:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio — Kent State will look to stay in the Mid-American Conference regular season title chase and earn victories that could be crucial in tournament seeding with a pair of road matches against MAC West schools to close out the first half of the conference season this weekend.
The Golden Flashes (10-9) are just one game back where they were at this point a season ago with a 3-3 MAC record following three weeks of league play. However, Kent State is still seeking their first road win against a conference opponent after suffering just one loss on the road in MAC play last season. The Flashes will play one of the league's hottest teams in Ball State on Friday at 7 p.m. and then head to Toledo on Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. match that will be broadcast locally on BCSN and streamed on ESPN3.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, October 14
7 p.m. Kent State at Ball State – Live Stats
Saturday, October 15
7:30 p.m. Kent State at Toledo – Live Stats • Video
LAST TIME OUT
Kent State battled Thursday night at MAC East rival Ohio before falling, 3-1 (21-25, 25-21, 22-25, 16-25), but bounced back with an impressive sweep of Central Michigan at home Saturday in the annual 'Dig for the Cure' match at the M.A.C. Center. Kent State was in control the entire night and trailed briefly on just two occasions.
Offensively, the Flashes averaged 11.57 kills per set and hit just .165, but the defense stepped up, especially at the net. Kent State had 10 blocks in each match for an average of 2.86 per set and have recorded double-figure blocks in three straight matches. Central Michigan was held to .125 hitting percentage, which is the sixth opponent to hit that mark or lower this season.
Kelsey Bittinger showcased her versatility with averages of 4.71 points, 4.14 kills, 3.71 digs and 0.71 blocks per set. Drew Norberg led the way with 11 blocks (1.57/set) and added 18 kills (2.57/set). Heather Younkin (13 kills) and Lexi Mantas (11 kills) also posted double-digit kills. Katarina Kojic (9.50 assists/set) and Brittney Jakscht (7.00 assists/set) each started one match at setter. Jakscht had four blocks in five sets of action.
Challen Geraghty posted 4.57 digs per set and had just one receiving error in 48 opportunities. Claire Tulisiak added 3.00 digs per set.
SCOUTING BALL STATE
Ball State (8-12, 4-2 MAC) has won 8 of the last 11 matches after starting the season with 9 straight losses. After being swept on the road by Northern Illinois last Friday, the Cardinals bounced back for a 3-1 victory at Western Michigan on Saturday in which every sets was decided by four points or fewer.
Outsider hitter/opposite Brooklyn Goodsel (3.11 kills/set) and outside hitter Sabrina Mangapora (3.03 kills/set) lead the attack, as the Cardinals are one of two MAC teams with two players among the top 10 in kills per set. The duo has averaged nearly 7.00 kills per set over the last 11 matches. Goodsel is averaging 4.04 kills per set in conference play and has posted 15 or more kill sin five of six MAC matches. Setter Amber Seaman is sixth in the conference with 9.67 assists per set. Libero Kate Avila leads the defense with a team-high 4.07 digs per set.
SCOUTING TOLEDO
Toledo (10-8, 3-3 MAC) enters the weekend at .500 in conference play after two road setbacks last weekend. The Rockets were swept by Western Michigan, which entered the match winless in league play, and then battled defending regular season champion Northern Illinois to five sets.
The Rockets average 2.13 blocks per set, which ranks second in the MAC but are just 10th with 12.12 kills per set. On the season, Toledo is 7-0 when hitting better than .200 and 8-1 when its opponent hits below the .200 mark. When the Rockets hit under .200, they are just 3-8 and 2-7 when opponents hit better than .200.
Outside hitter Saige Thomas leads Toledo with 3.10 kills per set. Middle hitter Racehl Vidourek has a team-high .313 hitting percentage and adds 2.17 kills per set. Setter Carly Townsend averages 10.58 assists per set to rank second in the conference. The defense is led by libero Maurissa Leonard (4.85 digs per set) and Zoe Birnbrich (0.98 blocks per set).
UP NEXT
Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center next weekend to host Western Michigan and Northern Illinois.
SEASON TICKETS
Ace Season Flex Passes are still on sale and can be purchased for just $35. Each pass includes 11 vouchers to home matches that can be used in any combination. Call the Kent State Ticket Office at 330-672-2244 to order or for more information, visit KentStateSports.com.
