Kent State University
Miami
Kent State Hosts Miami in Pivotal Weekend Series
11/11/2021 5:37:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center for the final three regular season contests as it attempts to make a push to qualify for the upcoming Mid-American Conference Volleyball Tournament.
The Golden Flashes (10-17, 5-10 MAC) will play host to Miami for a two-match series this weekend. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Ohio is then scheduled to visit the M.A.C. Center for Wednesday's Senior Night contest.
Kent State battled co-conference leader Bowling Green on the road last weekend, scoring at least 21 points in four of six sets, but were unable to win the critical points. The Flashes have now lost four straight matches and will need to win the remaining three while receiving some help from other teams to qualify for the six-team conference tournament.
Led by freshman Ainsley Guse and senior Danie Tyson, Kent State ranks third in the conference with 2.25 blocks per set. Guse ranks third in the MAC with 1.05 blocks per set, and Tyson is close behind with 0.96 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 averages a MAC-best 5.33 digs per set. 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 leads the Flashes with 2.83 kills per set. Melissa Kolurbasi is averaging a career-best 2.60 kills per set. Junior Taylor Heberle posted a career-high 22 kills while only playing the final four sets in in her return to action against Buffalo on Oct. 23 and is averaging 3.88 kills per set over the past six matches.
Redshirt senior Alex Haffner is seventh in the league with an average of 9.84 assists per set and adds 2.14 digs per set. Freshman Kiersten Kraus averaged 10.50 assists per set last weekend.
SCOUTING MIAMI
The RedHawks (6-19, 4-11 MAC) have lost three in a row after 3-1 and 3-2 setbacks to rival Ohio last weekend. Miami won four of its previous six matches, which ended a 10-match skid that lasted just over a month. The RedHawks are last in the MAC in kills per set (11.73) and rank 11th in hitting percentage (.180) and opponent hitting percentage (.238).
Outside hitter Gaby Harper (2.69 kps) and outside hitter/right side Sophie Riemersma (2.66 kps) are Miami's top attackers. Setter Lydia Harper is averaging 7.35 assists per set. Libero Taylor Nomanson leads the back row with 3.41 digs per set.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State is 21-63 all-time against Miami, which includes six consecutive losses. Head coach Don Gromala is 5-14 against the RedHawks.
UP NEXT
Kent State will hold Senior Day on Wednesday, Nov. 17 when Ohio visits the M.A.C. Center for a 6 p.m. contest.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
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