Kent State University
Buffalo
Volleyball Readies for Final Road Weekend of Regular Season
11/1/2018 4:59:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State hits the road for the final time during the regular season for a pair of Mid-American Conference matches this weekend. The Golden Flashes will look to avenge a five-set loss earlier in the season when they visit Buffalo on Friday, Nov, 2 at 6 p.m. and then head down the road in search of a sweep of rival Akron in a Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge matchup on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m.
Kent State (12-14, 5-7 MAC) controls its own destiny when it comes to returning to the MAC Tournament with sole possession of eighth-place entering the final two weekends of the regular season. The Flashes defeated Central Michigan, 3-2, in their last time out to close their homestand at the M.A.C. Center with a 3-1 record.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, November 2
6:00 p.m. Kent State at Buffalo – Live Stats Video
Saturday, November 3
5:00 p.m. Kent State at Akron – Live Stats Video
Friday's rivalry match at Buffalo will be broadcast on ESPN3 with live stats also available. Saturday's rivalry match will only feature live stats.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Buffalo (14-10, 6-6 MAC)
The Bulls split a pair of five-setters on the road, falling at Miami on Friday and then taking down Bowling Green on Saturday. Buffalo is third in the conference in kills per set (13.08) and hitting percentage (.220).
Outside hitter Andrea Mitrovic is one of the top offensive weapons in the MAC, and ranks in the top-15 nationally, in points per set (4.56), kills per set (4.00) and total attacks per set (12.33). The Preseason All-MAC East selection has totaled 20 or more kills eight times season, which includes a career-high 34 kills against Kent State on Sept. 30.
Outside hitter Polina Prokudina (2.48 kills per set) and right sider hitter Megan Wernette (2.14 kills per set) are other key contributors for Buffalo's attack. Middle blocker Kristina Nieves (1.66 kills per set) has a team-high .307 hitting percentage.
Setter Scout McLerran is second in the MAC at 10.10 assists per set.
Libero Larra Bickelhaupt is the team leader in digs per set (3.98) and service aces (29). Nieves leads the way with 1.00 block per set, while Wernette adds 0.84 blocks per set.
Akron (11-12, 3-9 MAC)
The Zips have lost three straight and have not won a set since a 3-2 victory against Central Michigan on Oct. 19. Akron has won just three sets over the past six matches, but has played their best at James A. Rhodes Arena. The Zips have won three of their last four at home and have a 7-4 home record overall this season.
Serving tough has been key to Akron's success this season. The Zips average nearly two aces per set in their wins compared to under one ace per set in losses. Overall, Akron ranks third in the MAC with an average of 1.48 aces per set and owns 7-0 record when recording eight or more aces. Emily Weigand is eighth in the country in aces per set (0.50) and 11th in total aces (43).
The Zips feature a balanced attack and post 12.50 kills per set as a team. Kayla Gwozdz leads the offense with 3.07 kills per set to rank ninth in the MAC. Ashley Richardson (2.40 kills per set) and Shelby Fulmer (2.16 kills per set) are also solid options. Richardson is third in the conference with a .324 hitting percentage. Setter Emily Weigand averages 7.57 assists per set.
Akron is near the bottom of the conference defensively, ranking 11th in digs per set (14.29) and last in blocks per set (1.49). Libero Taylor Sharrits boasts a team-best average of 4.62 digs per set, while Richardson is the team's top blocker (0.69 blocks per set).
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State leads the all-time series with both Akron and Buffalo with a combined 76-48 mark.
Kent State owns a dominant 31-12 all-time mark against the Bulls but has dropped three straight in the series. Head coach Don Gromala is 8-5 vs. the Bulls.
The Flashes are 44-36 against the Zips, including a 9-2 mark over the past 11 matchups. Kent State has won the past two meetings and seeks its first sweep in the rivalry since 2015. Head coach Don Gromala is 9-4 against the Zips.
UP NEXT
Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center next weekend for a pair of matches to end the regular season. The Golden Flashes host Miami on Friday, Nov. 9 and Bowling Green for Senior Night on Saturday, Nov. 10.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
