Kent State University
Miami University (OH)
Volleyball on the Road for Second Weekend of MAC Season
9/29/2016 4:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio — Kent State continues Mid-American Conference play this weekend with road matches against East Division foes Miami and Bowling Green.
The Golden Flashes (9-6, 2-0 MAC) face a difficult task as they look to improve upon their 1-2 road record during the non-conference season. The RedHawks (10-4, 2-0 MAC) and Falcons (10-5, 0-2 MAC) are two of three conference teams with double-digit victories. Miami brings a conference-best nine-match winning streak into Thursday night's Battle of the Bricks showdown against rival Ohio. Kent State has won it last five matches, which is tied for the second-longest streak in the conference.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, September 30
7 p.m. Kent State at Miami – Live Stats • Video
Saturday, October 1
7 p.m. Kent State at Bowling Green – Live Stats • Video
LAST TIME OUT
Kent State dropped just one set and opened MAC play 2-0 for the first time since 2008 in wins over Buffalo and Akron last weekend. The Golden Flashes swept the Bulls on Friday and then beat the Zips in four sets on Saturday, their seventh consecutive victory in the rivalry.
As a team, the Flashes averaged 15.86 kills per set, 15.00 assists per set and 19.43 digs per set, which all led the MAC for the opening weekend of conference play. Kent State held its opponents to just 10.00 kills per set, which tied for the best mark, and a .132 hitting percentage.
Outside hitters Kelsey Bittinger and Heather Younkin combined for 8.00 kills per set and a .297 hitting percentage. Bittinger had a double-double in both match and totaled 30 kills and 24 digs. Younkin posted career marks of 16 kills and a .517 hitting percentage against Buffalo. Drew Norberg added 18 kills. Setter Katarina Kojic averaged 12.43 assists per set and 1.29 kills per set while leading the team with 5 aces.
Challen Geraghty posted 7.57 digs per set to earn her third MAC East Division Defensive Player of the Week award of the season. She was also perfect in 36 service receptions. Claire Tulisiak added 3.00 digs per set, which included a career-best 15 digs against Akron.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State is 23-52 all-time against Bowling Green. The Flashes will look to earn their first win at the Stroh Center since it opened in 2011 after being unable to close out last year's contest with a 2-1 lead.
The Flashes are 18-58 all-time against Miami and snapped string of five straight losses in the series with a 3-0 sweep in their last visit to Millett Hall.
UP NEXT
Kent State completes its first trip through the MAC East with a Thursday night (October 6) showdown at Ohio and then returns to the M.A.C. Center for the Dig for the Cure match vs. Central Michigan on Saturday, October 8.
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.
