Kent State University
Buffalo
‘Dig for the Cure’ Match Highlights Weekend Series Against Buffalo
10/21/2021 4:23:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center this weekend to host Buffalo for a pair of Mid-American Conference volleyball contests. Friday's 'Dig for the Cure' match will begin at 6 p.m. and Saturday's match is scheduled for 4 p.m. Both contests will be streamed on ESPN3.
The Golden Flashes (9-12, 4-5 MAC) had a three-match winning streak come to an end in a 3-2 loss at Ohio on Wednesday. Senior Erin Gardner tallied a season-best 32 digs to lead the defense and four players recorded double-digit kills as Kent State dropped to 4-2 in five-setters this season.
On the season, junior Savannah Matthews ranks in the top-10 in the MAC in both points (3.61) and kills (3.17) per set. Senior Melissa Kolurbasi is averaging a career-best 2.58 kills per set. Redshirt senior Alex Haffner is fifth in the league with an average of 9.91 assists per set and adds 2.13 digs per set. Haffner leads Kent State with 18 service aces and eight double-doubles.
Led by freshman Ainsley Guse and senior Danie Tyson, Kent State ranks third in the conference with 2.30 blocks per set. Guse ranks fifth with a team-high 1.03 blocks per set, while Tyson adds 0.98 blocks per set to rank eighth.
The back row received a boost with the return of senior Erin Gardner to start the conference season. Gardner has averaged 5.26 digs per set over the past four weekends, which ranks fifth in the conference over this time. Sophomore Bryn Roberts wore the libero jersey for most of the non-league slate and averages 3.40 digs per set for the season.
SCOUTING BUFFALO
The Bulls (9-12, 2-7 MAC) swept a weekend series against Miami to start the conference schedule but have lost seven in a row since. Buffalo's defense ranks last in the MAC with a .247 opponent hitting percentage.
Outside hitter Milla Malik is the offensive leader for the Bulls and ranks fourth in the conference in both points (4.01) and kills (3.61) per set. Right side Emma Gielas adds 2.94 kills per set. Middle blocker Courtney Okwara has provided a reliable offensive option in the middle and is averaging 2.23 kills per set while hitting at a .302 clip. Setter Mandy Leigh averages 9.73 assists per set. Middle blocker Olivia DiBartoli is posting 1.05 blocks per set, which ranks fourth in the MAC.
SERIES HISTORY
The Golden Flashes own a dominant 34-14 all-time mark against the Bulls but has dropped four of the last five matchups. Head coach Don Gromala is 11-7 vs. the Bulls.
UP NEXT
Kent State will be on the road the next two weekends, beginning with single matches at Northern Illinois on Oct. 29 and Western Michigan on Oct. 30.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
