Kent State University
Miami
Golden Flashes Open MAC Volleyball Schedule at M.A.C. Center
9/26/2019 4:04:00โฏPM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State opens the Mid-American Conference season at home for the first time since 2016 this weekend when 2018 conference regular season co-champions Miami and Bowling Green visit the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (7-5) will lift the lid on the MAC slate against Miami on Friday at 6 p.m. The RedHawks received eight of 12 votes to win the conference's regular season crown in the preseason coaches poll. Kent State returns to action on Saturday against Bowling Green in a 5 p.m. contest.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 27
6:00 p.m.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Kent State vs. Miami
Saturday, Sept. 28
5:00 p.m.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Kent State vs. Bowling Green
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Miami
The RedHawks (5-6) defeated Illinois State on Friday to snap a three-match skid. Miami, which has captured a share of the MAC regular season title each of the past three seasons, has played a difficult schedule and owns victories against ACC members Virginia Tech and North Carolina.
A pair of all-conference players lead the offense. Outside hitter/right side Gaby Harper, the 2018 MAC Freshman of the Year, posts 2.72 kills per set while adding 2.86 digs per set. Middle hitter Margaret Payne owns a team-best .325ย hitting percentage and averages 2.51 kills per set. Middle hitter Avarie Powell (1.76 kps) was named to the all-tournament team this past weekend after posting 2.82 kills per set and a .436 hitting percentage.
Setters Morgan Seaman (5.28 aps) and Louise Comerford (5.16 aps) share setting duties in the RedHawks' 6-2 offense.
Libero Abigail Huser is the team leader with 3.71 digs per set.
Bowling Green
The Falcons (6-6) have followed a strong start to the season with losses in four of their past five contests. Bowling Green has beaten both Cleveland State and Charlotte, teams that defeated Kent State.
A strong floor defense once again ranks ninth in the national rankings at 17.91 digs per set. Libero Julia Walz is having a breakout sophomore campaign and is sixth in the country with an average of 5.79 digs per set. Walz was named MAC East Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after posting 6.14 digs per set in matches at Cincinnati and Xavier over the weekend.
Outside hitter/right side Petra Indrova has been among the top freshmen in the conference early in the season and ranks second in the MAC with 3.44 kills per set while hitting at a .292 clip. Outside hitters Katelyn Meyer (2.93 kps) and Jacqueline Askin (2.63 kps) also provide offensive weapons at the pin.
Setter Isabelle Marciniak, an All-MAC performer in 2017, runs the offense and posts averages of 9.26 assists and 2.67 digs per set.
Middle blocker Katie Kidwell is the conference's top blocker at 1.20 blocks per set. Kidwell was an All-MAC First Team honoree last season and adds 1.65 kills per set.
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