Kent State University
Northern Illinois
Final Road Volleyball Swing Begins with Stops at Pair of MAC West Schools
10/28/2021 8:21:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Kent State volleyball will leave the state of Ohio this weekend for the first time since the middle of September when it plays its final two matches of the season against Mid-American Conference West Division opponents.
The Golden Flashes (10-13, 5-6 MAC) will play at Northern Illinois at 6 p.m. ET on Friday and then battle Western Michigan at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Led by freshman Ainsley Guse and senior Danie Tyson, Kent State ranks third in the conference with 2.32 blocks per set. Both players average 1.03 blocks per set, and Tyson totaled a career-high 10 stuffs against Buffalo last Friday.
The back row received a boost with the return of senior Erin Gardner to start the conference season. Gardner averages 5.11 digs per set, which ranks fifth in the conference during league play. Sophomore Bryn Roberts donned the libero jersey for most of the first month and adds 3.42 digs per set for the season.
Junior Savannah Matthews ranks 10th in the MAC with 3.00 kills per set. Melissa Kolurbasi is averaging a career-best 2.62 kills per set and junior Taylor Heberle posted a career-high 22 kills while only playing the final four sets in Saturday's victory over Buffalo.
Redshirt senior Alex Haffner is fifth in the league with an average of 9.99 assists per set and adds 2.20 digs per set. Haffner leads Kent State with 19 service aces and 10 double-doubles.
SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
The Huskies (10-11, 4-7 MAC) have lost three of their last four contests after splitting a two-match series with Toledo last weekend.
Setter Grace Balensiefer ranks third in the conference with 10.79 assists per set. Outside hitter Katie Jablonski is fifth in points per set (3.89) and kills per set (3.46). Middle blocker Charli Atiemo adds 2.72 kills per set and ranks ninth in the MAC with a .309 hitting percentage. Libero Francesca Bertucci leads the back row with 4.34 digs per set.
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
The Broncos (14-8, 7-4 MAC) have lost three in a road after a pair of 3-0 setback against MAC West leader Ball State last weekend. Western Michigan ranks second in the conference in kills per set (13.74), assists per set (12.61) and digs per set (13.74).
Setter Logan Case is fourth nationally with an average of 11.45 assists per set. Outside hitter Maggie King is among the MAC's top attackers and ranks third with 4.37 points per set and 3.86 kills per set. Outside hitter Meredith Phillips adds 2.55 kills per set. Libero Mairead Boyle leads the defense with 4.63 digs per set.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State owns a 10-31 record all-time against Northern Illinois after splitting a two-match series in Kent during the spring season. The Flashes have lost in their last two trips to DeKalb. Head coach Don Gromala is 4-6 against NIU.
Kent State owns a 16-37 record all-time against Western Michigan but had won five of the last six meetings prior to losing a pair of matches in Kalamazoo during the spring. Head coach Don Gromala is 5-5 against the Broncos.
UP NEXT
Kent State will play its final road weekend of the season at conference leader Bowling Green on Nov. 5-6.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
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