Kent State University
Purdue Fort Wayne
Volleyball to Host Golden Flashes Classic
8/30/2018 3:56:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State hosts the Golden Flashes Classic this weekend to conclude a four-match home week. Morgan State, Niagara and Purdue Fort Wayne round out the tournament field that will participate in the six-match event.
The Golden Flashes (3-1) will be in action against Purdue Fort Wayne on Friday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. Kent State will then be in action for the first match of the day on Saturday, Sept. 1, taking on Morgan State at 12 p.m. The Flashes conclude the weekend against Niagara at 7 p.m. in the tournament finale.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Kent State's three matches will be broadcast on ESPN+. Mike Elkins and Brad Hamilton will call the action.
Live stats will be available for all six matches and video streaming of the remaining three matches will be available on KentStateSports.com
TICKETS
Fans can watch an entire day of volleyball for the price of just one match, as each ticket allows admission to every match that day. Separate tickets must be purchased for each day. The doors to the M.A.C. Center will open an hour before the first match each day. Adult tickets cost $5 and admission for seniors and youths is just $4.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, August 31
12:00 p.m. Morgan State vs. Purdue Fort Wayne – Live Stats Video
5:00 p.m. Morgan State vs. Niagara – Live Stats Video
7:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Purdue Fort Wayne – Live Stats Video
Saturday, September 1
12:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Morgan State – Live Stats Video
2:00 p.m. Niagara vs. Purdue Fort Wayne – Live Stats Video
7:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Niagara – Live Stats Video
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Purdue Fort Wayne (1-3)
The Mastodons lost a four-setter on the road to IUPUI following a 1-2 start to the season at its home tournament over the weekend. Purdue Fort Wayne posted season-lows for kills (35) and hitting percentage (.075) in the setback. Overall, the Mastodons are averaging 15.29 kills per set to rank 11 in the country.
Setter Madison Jaqua was named Summit League Offensive Player of the Week and ranks 25th nationally with 11.43 assists per set. Outside hitter Elizabeth Fuerst was also recognized for her performance during opening weekend by being named to the Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational All-Tournament Team. Fuerst is averaging 3.86 kills per set and hitting at close to a .300 clip.
Outside hitter Nicole Rightnowar leads the attack with 4.14 kills per set. Rightnowar ranks fifth nationally in attacks per set (13.64) and total attacks (191). Middle hitter Sydney Boerst adds 2.40 kills per set and adds a team-high 1.07 blocks per set. Libero Elizabeth Britner leads the floor defense at 3.93 digs per set.
Morgan State (1-3)
The Lady Bears battled back to take down Saint Peter's in five sets on Wednesday for the program's second non-conference win since the start of the 2016 season. Morgan State won just one set at the season-opening Delaware Classic over the weekend.
Outside hitter Cristen Coryatt is the top returning attacker (3.47 kills per set). Coryatt posted a season-high 19 kills vs. Saint Peter's and has at least 11 kills in every match this season. Outside hitter/right side Zoe McBride (2.53 kills per set) and middle hitter Kalysia Bates (2.47 kills per set) are key offensive contributors. Bates totaled a season-high 16 kills and a .481 hitting percentage vs. Saint Peter's.
Setter Roi Wallace (9.73 assists per set, 2.93 digs per set) ranks fifth in Morgan State history with 1,652 assists. Wallace posted a new career-high for both assists (60) and digs (18) vs Saint Peter's. Libero Jasmin Hubbard averages a team-high 3.80 digs per set.
Niagara (0-3)
The Purple Eagles failed to win a set at Buffalo's Blue and White Classic this past weekend. Picked to finish fifth in the MAAC Preseason Poll, Niagara allowed its opponents to hit .304 over three matches.
Outside hitter Alex Paris averages a team-best 2.22 kills per set. Defensive specialist/outside hitter Jaycie Roberts, a 2017 MACC All-Rookie Team selection, is averaging 2.00 kills per set and 3.22 digs per set. Preseason All-MAAC middle hitter Grace Hetterscheidt adds 1.86 kills per set. The defensive is led by defensive specialist Emillie Wright (4.50 digs per set).
First-year head coach Donna Day enters her first season as head coach in 2018. She served as an assistant coach at Niagara from 2016-17. The Purple Eagles' 12-player roster includes six newcomers.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State is 5-3 all-time against the tournament field. The Flashes are 2-3 against Purdue Fort Wayne (formerly IPFW) after defeating the Mastodons, 3-2, last season at Oakland's Golden Grizzlies Invitational. Head coach Don Gromala took the Kent State to IPFW to open his tenure and lost to the hosts, 3-0.
The Flashes have never dropped a set in three matchups with Morgan State. Most recently, Kent State took down the Bears in the 2015 season opener at the Maryland Invitational.
This will be the first meeting between the Flashes and Niagara.
UP NEXT
Kent State embarks on a nine-match road swing beginning with a trip to Robert Morris on Tuesday, Sept. 4. The Flashes then head to the La Salle Invitational next weekend.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
