Kent State University
Ohio
Thursday’s ‘Dig for a Cure’ Match Highlights Home Weekend for Surging Flashes Volleyball Squad
10/24/2018 5:35:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State concludes a four-match homestand at the M.A.C. Center to begin the second half of the Mid-American Conference volleyball schedule with a pair of contests this week. The Golden Flashes will host the annual 'Dig for the Cure' match Thursday night against Ohio at 7 p.m. and then have a day of rest before hosting Central Michigan on Saturday 5 p.m.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Thursday, October 25
7:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Ohio – Live Stats • Video
5:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Central Michigan – Live Stats • Video • Golden Flashes Radio
DIG FOR THE CURE
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Golden Flashes are selling pink 'Dig for a Cure' t-shirts to help in the fight against breast cancer. T-shirts cost $10 and all proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen. The team will be selling the t-shirts in the Kent State Student Center on Thursday from 11-2 p.m. Fans will also have an opportunity to purchase t-shirts at both matches.
For the sixth year in a row, the Golden Flashes will wear their special pink uniforms for their 'Dig for a Cure' match to show support for breast cancer awareness. Additionally, the court inside of the M.A.C. Center will have pink court lines for the entire month of October.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Ohio (9-14, 4-6 MAC)
Preseason conference favorite Ohio enters the weekend having lost five of its past six matches. After taking care of Western Michigan in three sets Friday night, the Bobcats were defeated by Northern Illinois in five sets on Saturday. On the season, Ohio has a 1-8 record in true road matches with the lone victory coming at Central Michigan back on Sept. 22.
The Bobcats once again are strong in serving and blocking. Ohio has recorded double-digit aces three times this season and ranks 50th nationally with an average of 1.52 aces per set. Ohio is third in the MAC at 2.11 blocks per set.
Outside hitter Jaime Kosiorek is coming off of her best weekend of the season and was named MAC East Offensive Player of the Week on Monday. Kosiorek hit at .419 clip with a team-high 37 kills (4.62 per set) while adding four aces to break the program career record in the rally scoring era. On the season, she is eighth in the country in aces per set (0.49) and leads Ohio in points per set (3.63) and kills per set (2.94). Outside hitter Lizzie Stephens adds 2.88 kills per set and is 23rd nationally in aces per set (0.45)
Setter Vera Giacomazzi (8.56 assists per set) is averaging 11.00 assists per set during MAC play, which is second in the conference.
Tia Jimerson (2.59 kills per set), Sara Januszewski (1.31 kills per set) and Simone Miller (1.05 kills per set) all see time in the middle for the Bobcats. Jimerson, who was sidelined for one month of action earlier this season, ranks in the top-10 in the MAC in blocks per set (0.93) and hitting percentage (.298). Januszewski has a team-best .306 hitting percentage and is hitting at a .339 clip in league play. Miller's 1.31 blocks per set rank 33rd in the country.
Libero Macy Reihing boasts a team-best average of 4.50 digs per set.
Central Michigan (4-18, 1-9 MAC)
The Chippewas defeated Buffalo, 3-1, on Saturday to end a 12-match losing streak. Central Michigan posted season-best marks for hitting percentage (.339) and aces (9) in the victory. The Chippewas nearly earned their first MAC win on Friday night, but fell in five sets after taking a 2-1 lead on Akron. CMU totaled a season-high 16 blocks in that match.
Outside hitter Kalina Smith, a Preseason All-MAC West Division selection, is the offensive catalyst. Smith is 10th in the conference with an average of 3.05 kills per set. She recorded a career-high 21 kills at Akron on Friday and a career-best .517 hitting percentage at Buffalo on Saturday.
Outside hitters Lyza Myers (2.39 kills per set) and Savannah Thompson (2.30 kills per set) provide additional offensive options.
Grace Butler (6.06 assists per set) and Kendall Braate (5.12 assists per set) both see time at setter.
Libero Megan Kern has a team-best average of 3.51 digs per set. Thompson adds 3.06 digs per set.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State is 26-55 all-time against Ohio after splitting the series a year ago. The Flashes are 18-17 at home in the series, which includes a 3-1 victory last season. Ohio earned a 3-1 victory earlier in the Mid-American Conference opener back on Sept. 20. Head coach Don Gromala is 3-12 against the Bobcats.
The Golden Flashes are 20-30-1 record all-time against Central Michigan, but have dominated the series in recent years, going 20-6 since 1995. Kent State extended its winning streak to five with a 3-0 sweep last season in Mount Plesant. Head coach Don Gromala is 5-1 vs. the Chippewas.
UP NEXT
Kent State hits the road for the final time in the regular season next weekend for matches at Buffalo on Friday, Nov. 2 and rival Akron on Saturday, Nov. 3.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
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