Kent State University
Ohio
Volleyball Hosts Ohio for ‘Dig for the Cure’ Match Thursday
10/2/2019 4:07:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State hosts the annual 'Dig for the Cure' match Thursday night against Ohio at 7 p.m. to conclude a four-match homestand at the M.A.C. Center and begin the second weekend of the Mid-American Conference volleyball schedule.
The Golden Flashes (7-7, 0-2 MAC) will then have a day of rest before visiting Central Michigan for an 8 p.m. contest on Saturday.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Thursday, Oct. 3
7:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Ohio
Saturday, Oct. 5
8:00 p.m. Kent State at Central Michigan
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Jacob Pavilack and Sam Jones will have the call Thursday night on ESPN3, with live stats also available. Saturday's match at Central Michigan will only have live stats available.
DIG FOR THE CURE
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Golden Flashes will wear their special pink uniforms for their 'Dig for the Cure' match. 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
The Bobcats (9-6, 1-1 MAC) split home matches with Bowling Green and Miami to start the conference season, following two Power 5 wins over Virginia and Kansas State during the non-league slate. Ohio was unable to close out a 2-0 lead against Bowling Green on Friday and then took care of Miami in four sets on Saturday.
The All-MAC trio of setter Vera Giacomazzi, middle blocker Tia Jimerson and outside hitter Lizzie Stephens headline the Bobcats' offense. Giacomazzi leads the conference in assists per set (11.17) and is second in the country in total assists (657). Jimerson was sidelined for Ohio's first eight matches, but has posted 3.42 kills per set, 1.46 blocks per set and an impressive .435 hitting percentage in leading the Bobcats to a 5-2 mark since making her season debut. She has hit at better than a .333 clip in all seven matches and recorded double-digit blocks twice. Stephens leads the MAC in both service aces (27) and service aces per set (0.46) while contributing 2.53 kills per set.
Newcomers Maggie Nedoma (3.00 kps) and Olivia Margolies (2.43 kps) have also been scoring threats at the pin. Margolies led the Bobcats with 28 kills on the first weekend on conference action. Middle blocker Dahlias Bouyer adds 1.73 kills and 1.02 blocks per set.
Libero Macy Reihing is the team leader with 4.46 digs per set, which ranks fifth in the league.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State is 26-56 all-time against Ohio. The Flashes are 18-18 at home in the series. Head coach Don Gromala is 3-13 against the Bobcats.
The Golden Flashes are 21-30-1 record all-time against Central Michigan, but have dominated the series in recent years, going 21-6 since 1995. Kent State extended its winning streak to six with a 3-2 victory last season in Kent. Head coach Don Gromala is 6-1 vs. the Chippewas.
UP NEXT
Kent State will be back on the road next weekend to play Buffalo (Oct. 11) and rival Akron (Oct. 12).
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
