Kent State University
Toledo
Flashes Prepare to Host Rockets and Cardinals
10/17/2019 4:24:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Kent State volleyball team returns to the M.A.C. Center this weekend for a pair of Mid-American Conference matches. The Golden Flashes will bring the first half of the conference season to a close with contests against Toledo on Friday at 6 p.m. and Ball State at 5 p.m. Saturday.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Oct. 18
6:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Toledo
Saturday, Oct. 19
5:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Ball State
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Fans can watch both matches on ESPN+ with Mike Elkins and Benjamin Pagani will on the call. Live stats will also be available for both matches.
LAST TIME OUT
Kent State recorded it first 3-0 road victory against a MAC opponent since October 31, 2015 last Friday at Buffalo. The Golden Flashes' .336 hitting percentage was the highest against a conference opponent since October 7, 2017. The next night, Kent State lost to rival Akron, 3-1.
Senior Ashley Makruski led the offense with 22 kills, including a match-high 15 against the Chippewas. Freshman Morgan Copley was right behind with 20 kills and had a .356 hitting percentage. Redshirt sophomore Alex Haffner directed the offense and totaled 81 assists and 11 kills. Defensively, sophomore Erin Gardner tallied a team-leading 33 digs.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Toledo (7-11, 0-6 MAC)
The Rockets had a six-match win streak early in the season but has been victorious just once in the 10 matches since. Toledo put together a strong performance its last time out, taking first-place Central Michigan to five sets and losing 15-13.
Offensive struggles have resulted in a tough start to the MAC season, as the Rockets are last in kills per set (11.54) and hitting percentage (.169) during conference play. Outside hitter Chloe Kleespies leads the way with 3.00 kills per set and has posted double-digit kills in 11 of 16 matches played. Middle blocker Zoe Birnbrich, a Preseason All-MAC West selection, is right behind at 2.88 kills per set. Birnbrich's .336 hitting percentage is fifth in the MAC. Setter Megan Beasley is sixth in the league with 8.88 assists per set.
Libero Rhyen Neal is the team leader in digs per set (3.78) and Birnbrich averages a team-high 0.85 blocks per set.
Ball State (10-8, 4-2 MAC)
The preseason MAC West Division favorite Cardinals has won three of their past four matches. Ball State's only conference losses have been on the road against Central Michigan and Akron squads that own a combined 11-1 record during MAC play.
Led by a trio of freshmen, the Cardinals rank third in the conference at 13.20 kills per set. Opposite Allison Hamaker leads the way with 2.97 kills per set and a .276 hitting percentage. First-year outside hitters Natalie Mitchem (2.66 kills per set) and Natalie Risi (2.58 kills per set) are close behind.
Preseason All-MAC West selections Amber Seaman and Sydnee VanBeek are also key contributors to Ball State's offense. Seaman is fourth in the MAC with 9.33 assists per set, while VanBeek is fourth in blocks per set (1.10) and adds 2.12 kills per set.
The Cardinals are 40th in the nation at 16.26 digs per set. Libero Kate Avila boasts a team-best average of 4.15 digs per set.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State is 31-31 all-time against Toledo. The Flashes earned a 3-1 road victory last season, snapping a three-match skid in the series. Head coach Don Gromala is 3-5 against Toledo.
The Golden Flashes are 14-40 all-time against Ball State but have won three of the past four matchups. Head coach Don Gromala is 3-5 against the Cardinals.
UP NEXT
Kent State starts the second half of the MAC schedule next weekend at Northern Illinois and Western Michigan to start a stretch of five consecutive road contests.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
