Kent State University
Ohio
Volleyball Hosts Ohio for Senior Night
11/16/2021 5:04:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Kent State volleyball team will honor three student-athletes on Senior Night on Wednesday, Nov. 17, as the season concludes against Ohio. First serve at the M.A.C. Center is scheduled for 6 p.m., and Hannah Johnson, Melissa Kolurbasi and Danie Tyson will be honored following the contest.
The Golden Flashes (11-18, 6-11 MAC) split this past weekend's two-match series against Miami. After a disappointing five-set loss on Friday, Kent State came back with an impressive 3-1 victory on Saturday. Alex Haffner and Taylor Heberle received recognition from the Mid-American Conference office for their standpoint performances.
Led by freshman Ainsley Guse and senior Danie Tyson, Kent State ranks third in the conference with 2.25 blocks per set. Guse ranks fifth in the MAC with 1.05 blocks per set, and Tyson is close behind with 0.93 blocks per set to rank ninth.
The back row received a boost with the return of senior Erin Gardner to start the conference season. Gardner ranks fourth in the MAC with 5.17 digs per set. Sophomore Bryn Roberts donned the libero jersey for most of the first month and adds 3.28 digs per set for the season.
Junior Savannah Matthews leads the Flashes with 2.69 kills per set. Melissa Kolurbasi is averaging a career-best 2.58 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 has averaged 3.96 kills per set over while hitting at a .276 clip over the past eight matches.
Redshirt senior Alex Haffner is fifth in the league with an average of 9.91 assists per set and adds 2.16 digs per set.
SCOUTING OHIO
The Bobcats (11-17, 11-6 MAC) have won five of their last six contests, which includes a 3-2 victory over MAC East Division champion Bowling Green on Saturday.
Libero Sam Steele is second the MAC in digs per set with 5.32. Outside hitter Caroline Clippard leads all freshmen in the MAC with a team-high 3.31 kills per set. Opposite Maggie Nedoma is right behind at 3.11 kills per set, which ranks 10th. Setter Tria McLean averages 9.48 assists per set. Samantha Steele averages 5.32 digs per set.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State is 26-62 all-time against Ohio. The Golden Flashes have lost nine in a row in the series, but three of the last four have gone to five sets. Kent State's last victory was 3-2 on October 5, 2017, in Kent. Head coach Don Gromala is 3-19 against Ohio.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
