Kent State University
Robert Morris University
Volleyball Hosts Robert Morris Tuesday in Non-Conference Matchup
9/5/2016 7:21:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio — Kent State volleyball's four-match homestand on Tuesday by hosting Robert Morris at the M.A.C. Center for a 7 p.m. first serve.
The Golden Flashes (3-3) will face a tough task to stay above .500, as the Colonials (4-2) enter on a three-match win streak and have high expectations after playing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003 last season.
LAST TIME OUT
Kent State went 1-2 to open the home schedule this past weekend. After starting with a 3-0 sweep of Wright State, the Flashes were dealt a 3-0 victory loss by Boise State in the championship match of the Golden Flashes Classic. After rallying for a 25-23 second set victory to tie the match in the weekend finale vs. Tennessee Saturday evening, Kent State was easily handled in the next two sets for consecutive home losses for the first time since October of the 2013 season.
The Flashes took away everything Wright State tried to do offensively in the opener, limiting the Raiders to as many kills (23) as errors (23) for a .000 hitting percentage, the lowest by an opponent since Morgan State hit -.009 on Sept. 10, 2010. However, Boise State and Tennessee combined for 110 kills and outhit Kent State .309 to .131 over the final two matches. The Flashes were strong in serve-receive and held a 16-7 advantage in aces. Senior Katarina Kojic and junior Kelsey Bittinger both matched their career-high against Wright State with four aces and three aces, respectively.
Bittinger and junior Challen Geraghty were named to the Golden Flashes Classic All-Tournament Team on Friday. Bittinger averaged of 4.50 kills and 2.83 digs per set with a .278 hitting percentage, while Geraghty posted 6.83 digs per set over the two matches.
Kent State was led on offensive by Bittinger, who posted team-best marks with 4.85 points per set, 4.10 kills per set and a .258 hitting percentage. Sophomore Lexi Mantas (1.88 kills per set), senior Drew Norberg (1.86 kills per set) and junior Heather Younkin (1.70 kills per set) were also key contributors to the Flashes' attack.
Kojic was the primary setter for the Flashes and led the team with 6.20 assists per set. She added 2.00 digs per set.
Geraghty averaged 6.00 digs per set to lead the defense. Mantas posted a career-high 12 digs against both Wright State and Tennessee and averaged 3.00 digs per set over the weekend. Bittinger added 2.60 digs per set. Freshman Myla King was a force at the net once again with a team-high 1.29 blocks per set. King turned in the best match of her young career against Wright State with nine points, six kills and five blocks.
GERAGHTY COLLECTING EARLY SEASON ACCOLADES
Libero Challen Geraghty has been named Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks to begin the 2016 season. Geraghty has now earned the award five times during her collegiate career.
On the season, Geraghty is averaging a MAC-best 5.86 digs per set. She has tallied at least 17 digs in each match and also leads the Flashes with 8 service aces.
Dating back to last season, Kent State has received 13 POTW awards, which ties the amount over the six prior seasons combined. Geraghty was joined by outside hitter Kelsey Bittinger, who was named MAC East Offensive Player of the Week, to sweep the first set of weekly awards this season last week.
The reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year was also named to the seven-member Preseason All-MAC East by the conference's 12 head coaches.
M.A.C. CENTER MAGIC
Kent State seeks to continue its success at the M.A.C. Center, where it has won nearly 70 percent of its matches (25-12) dating back to the start of the 2013 season. The Golden Flashes recorded nine home victories in 2014, which marked the most since 2002. In 2013, Kent State fed off the energy from the home crowd to defeat No. 18 Ohio for the program's first win against a nationally-ranked team.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State holds a commanding 13-2 lead in the all-time series against Robert Morris. The Golden Flashes have won the past three meetings, including a 3-0 sweep at the Indiana Invitational in 2013. The Colonials' last victory was a five-setter in Kent on September 9, 2011. Kent State is 7-2 vs. RMU at the M.A.C. Center.
UP NEXT
Kent State returns to the road for three contests at the UE Tournament in Evansville, Indiana.
SEASON TICKETS
Ace Season Flex Passes are on sale and can be purchased for just $35. Call the Kent State Ticket Office at 330-672-2244 to order or for more information, visit KentStateSports.com.
