Kent State University
Cleveland State
Volleyball Visits CSU Friday, Hosts Niagara on Homecoming
9/19/2019 2:20:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State will close the non-conference volleyball schedule by co-hosting the Golden-Viking Invitational this weekend. The Golden Flashes (6-4) will play at Cleveland State on Friday at 7 p.m. and then return to the M.A.C. to host Niagara for a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 20
7:00 p.m. Kent State at Cleveland State
Saturday, Sept. 21
1:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Niagara
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Fans can watch Friday's match at Cleveland State on ESPN+, and live stats will also be available. Live video streaming for Saturday's home match can be viewed on BoxCast with live stats on KentStateSports.com.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Cleveland State
The Vikings (2-7) have lost four in a row after going 0-3 at the Bluegrass Battle this past weekend. Cleveland State has played the 40th-toughest schedule in the country to-date, which includes contests against nationally ranked Pitt and Kentucky squads. The Vikings were projected to finish fifth in the Horizon League and own victories over Butler and Charlotte during the second weekend of competition.
All-conference middle hitters Trinniti Hall (first team) and Hannah Greene (honorable mention) lead the way for CSU. Hall ranks third in the Horizon League in points per set (4.25) while pacing the Vikings at 3.41 kills per set and a .282 hitting percentage. Greene adds 3.09 kills per set, and both average just over one block per set. Setter Christina Grecol is third in the league in assists per set (9.59) and libero Lindsey Tout is fourth in digs per set (4.56).
Niagara
The Purple Eagles (1-7) have lost six in a row following a 3-0 victory over Grambling State on the opening day of the season. Niagara has been beaten, 3-1, by both Youngstown State and Northern Illinois.
Right side hitter Mary Redl leads the offense with 2.57 kills per set and a .304 hitting percentage. Outside hitter Caroline Leitch adds 2.44 kills per set. Setter Jessica Streuer leads Niagara in assists (5.61 per set) and libero Emillie Wright leads the team in digs (3.77 per set).
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State defeated both teams a season. The 3-0 sweep at the M.A.C. Center was the first ever meeting with Niagara. The Golden Flashes improved to 30-23 all-time against Cleveland State with a 3-1 victory at Butler's Bulldog Brawl. Head coach Don Gromala is 1-1 against the Vikings.
UP NEXT
Kent State will play its first three Mid-American Conference matches at the M.A.C. Center, beginning with matchups against 2018 co-regular season champions Miami (Sept. 27) and Bowling Green (Sept. 28) next weekend.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
