Kent State University
University of Akron
Volleyball Visits Akron and Buffalo on Final October Weekend
10/27/2016 5:26:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio — The Kent State volleyball team concludes the month of October with two road matches against Mid-American Conference East Division schools. The Golden Flashes renew their rivalry with Akron on Friday at James A. Rhodes Arena and then head to Buffalo for a match that will be broadcast on ESPN3 Saturday evening.
The Golden Flashes (12-11, 5-5 MAC) have won three on their last five matches with both setbacks coming in five sets and look to complete season sweeps of Zips and Bulls squads in desperate need of wins to stay in the MAC Tournament hunt.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, October 28
7 p.m. Kent State at Akron – Live Stats
Saturday, October 29
6 p.m. Kent State at Buffalo – Live Stats • Video
SCOUTING AKRON
Akron (6-16, 1-9 MAC) is coming off of its first win of the conference season, 3-2, over Central Michigan on Saturday. The Zips took the first two sets of the night before the Chippewas came back to force a fifth set. Despite dropping its first nine MAC matches, Akron has proven it can compete with the best teams the league has to offer. The Zips are one of only two MAC teams that have won a set against Miami and held a 2-1 lead at Northern Illinois before losing, 3-2. The RedHawks and Huskies are both undefeated in league play.
Opponents have controlled play at the net against the Zips this season, as they are last in the MAC both in blocks per set (1.54) and opponent blocks per set (2.21). Akron ranks 11th of 12 teams in hitting percentage (.181) and opponent hitting percentage (.240). The Zips have served tough and rank fourth in the MAC with 1.40 aces per set. Defensive specialists Abbey Pawlak and Callie Mack are both among the top five in the conference in the category.
Right side hitter Amanda Bedell leads Akron with 2.60 kills per set. Left side hitter Elya Karsner (2.41 kps) is averaging a team-best 2.86 kills per set during the conference season. Setter Karley Kusan is averaging 9.46 assists per set and is second on the team with 2.63 digs per set. The defense is led by libero Breanna Mack (3.80 digs per set).
SCOUTING BUFFALO
Buffalo (3-20, 2-8 MAC) snapped a six-match skid by taking down Eastern Michigan, 3-2, on Saturday. The Bulls led a 2-1 against Central Michigan last Friday before falling in five sets. Buffalo ranks last in the MAC in several statistical categories, including hitting percentage, opponent hitting percentage, kills per set, assists per set, aces per set and digs per set.
Middle blocker Cassie Shado ranks fourth in the country with a .404 hitting percentage and leads the Bulls with 2.38 kills per set. Outside hitter Valisha Watkins leads Buffalo at the pin with 2.26 kills per set but is hitting just .073. Setter Scout McLerran averages 8.83 assists per set and her 64 assists last Friday vs. CMU are the most by a MAC player this season. Libero Hannah Watson averages a team-best 3.84 digs per set and right side hitter Megan Wernette leads the way at 1.03 blocks per set.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State leads the all-time series with both Akron and Buffalo with a combined 73-43 mark.
The Flashes are 42-34 against the Zips and has won seven straight in the series. The Flashes won this year's first matchup, 3-1 (25-23, 21-25, 25-16, 25-20), at the M.A.C. Center after sweeping both of last year's matches.
Kent State owns a dominant 31-9 all-time mark against the Bulls, including six straight victories. The Flashes earned a 3-0 (27-25, 25-15, 25-20) victory the Bulls at the M.A.C. Center to start the MAC season on Sept. 23.
UP NEXT
Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center for its final home weekend against Bowling Green (Nov. 4) and Miami (Nov. 5), which will be Senior Night. The Golden Flashes then host Ohio on Thursday, Nov. 10 and head to Ypsilanti, Mich. to battle Eastern Michigan in the regular season finale on Nov. 12.
