Kent State University
Illinois
Loaded Field Awaits Flashes at Cardinal Classic
8/31/2017 8:59:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State heads to Louisville, Kentucky to compete at the Cardinal Classic over the second weekend of the volleyball season (Sept. 1-2). The Golden Flashes will face their first ranked opponent of the season, and all three matches are against perennial NCAA Tournament participants.
The Flashes (1-2) will play undefeated Illinois (3-0) in the tournament opener Friday at 5 p.m. The Fighting Illini are ranked 21st by PrepVolleyball.com. Saturday's action begins at 12:30 p.m. against host Louisville (0-2). The Cardinals own an 83-percent winning percentage at Cardinal Arena. Kent State takes on No. 24 Western Kentucky (4-0) to conclude the weekend Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Kent State's match against Louisville will be streamed live on the ACC Network Extra. There will be no live stream for the Flashes' other two matches. Live stats for each match of the tournament can be found here.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, September 1
4:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Illinois – Live Stats
Saturday, September 2
12:30 p.m. Kent State at Louisville – Live Stats Video
5:30 p.m. Kent State vs. No. 24 WKU – Live Stats
LAST TIME OUT
Kent State went 1-2 on opening weekend with a 3-0 sweep of Omaha to end on a winning note. Despite playing in three sweeps, every set was decided by seven points or fewer, with five sets being decided by two or three points. The Golden Flashes' defense shined with an average of 16.78 digs per set and holding opponents to a .190 hitting percentage.
Senior outside hitter Kelsey Bittinger was named to the All-Tournament Team after posting averages of 5.56 points, 5.11 kills and 2.44 digs per set while hitting .349.
Senior opposite Heather Younkin had a season-high 11 kills against Omaha to finish the weekend with 22 kills (2.44/set). Sophomore outside hitter Ashley Makruski posted a career-high eight kills and three digs against Omaha and totaled 12 kills (2.40/set).
Freshman Natalie Tagala and senior Brittney Jakscht both saw action at setter. Tagala led the way with 53 assists (10.60/set) and had 35 assists and 10 digs for her a double-double in her first career start. Jakscht had 34 assists (6.80/set).
Senior libero Challen Geraghty led the floor defense 7.11 digs per set. Tagala (2.80/set) and sophomore defensive specialist Claire Tulisiak (1.56/set) added 14 digs apiece. Sophomore middle blocker Myla King posted 1.22 blocks per set.
ANOTHER GOLDEN FLASH HOMECOMING
Senior libero Challen Geraghty returns her hometown to play in front of family and friends this weekend. The Louisville, Kentucky native
Last weekend, sixth-year head coach Don Gromala returned to his alma mater. Gromala both played for and coached the Iowa State men's club volleyball team, earning a pair of all-conference selections and guiding the team to four NIRSA the Cyclones mater during the 2003 season. His Division I coaching career began at Iowa State as a volunteer coach during the 2003 season.
Since taking over the helm of the Golden Flashes program, Gromala has made a point to take his student-athletes back to play close to their hometown. Senior setter Brittney Jakscht (Wisconsin) as well as former Flashes Maddie Moxley (UCF), Drew Norberg (Sacramento State) and Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola (Towson) all returned home during their time at Kent State.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State is 5-6 all-time against the tournament field. The Flashes are 4-2 against Louisville with a 3-2 win in the most recent matchup in 1997. The Cardinals won the only meeting in Louisville, 3-1, in 1984. Kent State is 1-4 all-time against WKU. The Flashes won the first matchup, 3-0, in 1997 and have lost four straight, including two losses in September 2005. This will be the first meeting between Kent State and Illinois.
UP NEXT
Kent State will open its 11-match home schedule at the M.A.C. Center when it hosts Butler and College of Charleston for the 2017 Golden Flashes Classic on Sept. 8-10.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
