Kent State University
Youngstown State
Black Knights Invitational Next for Flashes Volleyball
9/12/2019 4:25:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State continues non-conference play this weekend when it visits West Point, N.Y. for three matches as part of the Black Knights Invitational.
The Golden Flashes (5-2) take on Binghamton at 10 a.m. Friday for the first of two opening-day contests. Kent State plays Bryant at 3 p.m. to conclude the day. On Saturday, the Flashes will challenge host Army West Point at 11 a.m. for their third match in just over 24 hours.
Fans can follow live stats for all three Kent State matches via GoArmyWestPoint.com. Live video streaming will for all of Army West Point's matches on the Patriot League Network.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 13
10:00 a.m. Kent State vs. Binghamton
3:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Bryant
Saturday, Sept. 14
11:00 a.m. Kent State at Army West Point
CAN YOU DIG IT?
Sophomore libero Erin Gardner has been honored Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week following both of the first two weekends of competition this season. Gardner enters Tuesday's match as the NCAA Division I leader in total digs (186), while ranking third in digs per set (6.64). She has tallied at least 21 digs in each of the Golden Flashes' past six matches.
Two of her top performances in a Kent State uniform game in the first two matches of this past weekend's Golden Flashes Classic. Gardner recorded her first career double-double on Friday night against Valparaiso with 32 digs and career-best 10 assists. The next morning, she tallied a career-high 37 digs in a 3-1 victory over Idaho State. This is the second-most digs by any player in the country in a four-set match this season and ranks seventh in the Flashes record book.
Named to the MAC All-Freshman Team a season ago, Gardner set freshman program for both total digs (578) and digs per set (5.07). The Avon, Ohio native benefited from an extra semester of training as part of a college program. Gardner graduated high school in December 2017 and joined Kent State as an early enrollee for the 2018 spring season.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Binghamton
The Beacats (0-6) have only won a single set through the first two weekends of the season. Binghamton ranks among the 10 worst teams in the country in kills per set (8.42) and hitting percentage (.074).
Outside hitter Francela Ulate is the team's top offensive weapon at 2.84 kills and has an American East-leading 13 service aces. Setter Kiara Adams averages 6.50 assists per set. Middle hitter Anna Sprys has provided a strong defensive presence at the net and has posted 1.11 blocks per set.
Bryant
The Bulldogs have won three of their past four matches after a 3-1 victory over Providence on Tuesday. Bryant was picked to finish fourth in the Northeast Conference preseason poll and received two first-place votes.
Outside hitter Caroline Kennedy is posting 2.54 kills per set this season. Kennedy set the school's Division I era single-season record for kills (409) as a Second Team All-NEC performer last year. Mia Cergol (4.23 assists per set) and Alisi Motu'apuaka (4.04 assists per set) share setting duties.
Army West Point
The Black Knights (3-3) dropped all three of its matches at the Rainbow Wahine Invitational last weekend after going unbeaten at its home tournament to open the season. Army was picked to finish fourth in the Patriot League preseason poll and received two first-place votes.
Libero Ana Ogilvie leads a stout defense that ranks 45th in the country in opponent hitting percentage (.184). Ogilvie tallied 37 digs in Saturday's match against Sacramento State and is averaging a Patriot League-best 5.23 digs per set.
Preseason All-Patriot League outside hitter Courtney Horace leads the offense with 3.05 kills per set. Hannah Presley (5.95 assists per set) and Nikki Lum (4.10 assists per set) share setting duties.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State is 1-2 all-time against the tournament field with a 3-0 victory over Binghamton in the most recent matchup during the 2013 season. The Bearcats won the only previous meeting between the schools in 2007. The Golden Flashes suffered a 3-0 loss to Army West Point in 1993.
UP NEXT
Kent State concludes the non-conference slate in Northeast Ohio with two matches as part of the Cleveland Challenge. The Golden Flashes will go to Cleveland State on Friday, Sept. 20 and then host Niagara on Saturday, Sept. 21. Kent State and Bryant have never met on the volleyball court.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
