Kent State University
Central Michigan
Flashes Volleyball Aims to Bounce Back Against CMU and EMU
10/7/2021 3:44:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center this weekend for a pair of Mid-American Conference volleyball matches this weekend. First serve against Central Michigan is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday and Eastern Michigan visits for a 4 p.m. match on Saturday.
The Golden Flashes (6-10, 1-3 MAC) have lost three in a row following a pair of 3-0 setbacks last weekend at Toledo.
Led by freshman Ainsley Guse and senior Danie Tyson, Kent State ranks third in the conference with 2.21 blocks per set. Guse ranks sixth with a team-high 1.00 block per set, while Tyson adds 0.92 blocks per set to rank 10th.
The back row received a boost with the return of senior Erin Gardner to start the conference season. Gardner averaged 5.36 digs per set over the past two weekends, which ranks sixth in the conference over this time. Sophomore Bryn Roberts averages 3.62 digs per set for the season, which ranks 10th.
Junior Savannah Matthews ranks in the top-10 in the league in both points (3.61) and kills (3.16) per set. Melissa Kolurbasi is averaging a career-best 2.50 kills per set.
Redshirt senior Alex Haffner is seventh in the league with an average of 9.39 assists per set and adds 2.23 digs per set. Haffner leads Kent State with 13 service aces and seven double-doubles.
SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN
The Chippewas (7-9, 1-3 MAC) opened the conference slate by beating Northern Illinois, 3-1, but has lost its three matches since. Central Michigan leads the country with 19.88 digs per set. The Chippewas are also among the national leaders in assists per set (13.12) and kills per set (14.14) to rank ninth and 13th, respectively.
Outside hitter Savannah Thompson has been among the most productive performers in the MAC this season, ranking sixth in points per set (3.79), kills per set (3.40) and digs per set (4.19). Outside hitter Linnea Willer adds 2.66 kills per set and has averaged a team-best 3.60 kills per set in conference play. Grace Butler (6.22 aps) and Kamryn Olson (5.59 aps). Libero Aly Gurtiza ranks ninth nationally with 5.43 digs per set and has tallied 20 or more digs in 10 matches.
SCOUTING EASTERN MICHIGAN
The Eagles (6-9, 1-3 MAC) picked up their first conference victory on Saturday, defeating Northern Illinois, 3-2. Eastern Michigan ranks fourth in the conference in aces per set (1.40) and blocks per set (2.12).
Outside hitter/right side hitter Samantha Basham posted a career-high 20 kills against the Huskies on Saturday and is averaging a team0high 2.88 kills per set. Outside hitter Annie Lockett (2.58 kps), middle blocker Raeven Chase (2.53 kps) and outside hitter/right side hitter Krista Blakely (2.06 kps) give the Eagles four attackers with more than 100 kills. Setter Jayden Otto ranks fifth in the MAC with 9.81 assists per set. Chase is the top blocker (1.19 bps) in the conference and libero Kamryn Stillwell is fifth in digs per set (4.23).
SERIES HISTORY
The Golden Flashes are 23-31-1 record all-time against Central Michigan. Kent State has dominated the series in recent years, going 23-7 since 1995, including 3-0 and 3-1 victories in Mount Pleasant in January. Head coach Don Gromala is 8-2 vs. the Chippewas with six consecutive victories from 2013-18.
Kent State owns a 20-38-1 record all-time against Eastern Michigan. After snapping a three-match losing streak in 2019, the Flashes dropped a five-setter in Kent State last season. Head coach Don Gromala is 4-7 against the Eagles.
UP NEXT
Kent State will make the short trip to battle rival Akron as part of the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge for matches next weekend on Friday. Oct. 15 and Saturday, Oct. 16.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
