Kent State University
Akron
Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge Series Opens Kent State Volleyball Home Slate
2/10/2021 1:25:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Kent State volleyball team will play the first ever regular season matches inside of the Basketball and Volleyball Development Center against Akron later this week. The first match is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday and the two-match series will conclude at 5 p.m. Friday. The winner of each match will earn one half-point in this year's Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge standings.
Despite being the only Mid-American Conference team that has not played on its home court, the Golden Flashes (4-0) are one of two undefeated teams. Kent State earned a pair of 3-0 wins at Buffalo last weekend and has taken 12 of 13 sets overall this season.
The offense has been prolific in the first two weekends and ranks eighth in the country in assists per set (13.92), ninth in kills per set (14.85) and 14th in hitting percentage (.300). Redshirt junior Alex Haffner has earned MAC East Division Setter of the Week honors each of the past two weeks and is third nationally in assists per set (12.15 apg). Outside hitters Savannah Matthews and Taylor Heberle are off to sensational sophomore seasons. Matthews, who was named MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, leads the conference in points (4.69) and kills (4.54) per set. Heberle averages a MAC-best 0.64 aces per set while ranking fifth in points per set (4.46) and sixth in kills per set (3.77). Junior middle blockers Lana Strejcek (1.62 kps) and Danie Tyson (1.54 kps) are tied for third in the MAC with .364 hitting percentages.
Defensively, Kent State has held opponents to a .149 hitting percentage while averaging 16.38 digs per set and 1.92 blocks per set. Junior Erin Gardner averages a team-best 4.38 digs per set and senior Kaeleigh Stang adds 2.69 digs per set. The duo leads a serve-receive unit that has just six errors. Lana Strejcek averages 1.23 blocks per set, which ranks third in the conference.
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips (2-4) lost both matches at Ball State on the opening weekend of the season before returning home and splitting series with Miami and Ohio. Aggressive serving is once again a strength for Akron, which averages a MAC-leading 1.81 aces per set. Offensively, the Zips rank ninth in the conference in hitting percentage (.145) and 10th in kills per set (11.19).
Akron has three players who have totaled 50 or more kills this season. Right side hitter Shelby Fulmer (2.42 kps) has a team-high 63 kills while outside hitter Alexis Adleta (2.13 kps) and right side hitter Teagan Ochaya (1.96 kps) have 51 kills apiece. Emily Weigand (5.65 apg) and Taylor Kuruzovich (3.92 apg) have shared setting duties. Defensive specialist/libero Taylor Sharitts (5.62 dps) and middle blocker Megan Kelly (1.00 bps) lead the defense.
SERIES HISTORY
The Golden Flashes own a 46-37 advantage in the rivalry. Kent State is 11-2 over the past 13 matchups, including four straight wins after losing the previous two matches on the road. Head coach Don Gromala is 11-5 against the Zips.
UP NEXT
Kent State will host Eastern Michigan on Monday, February 15 in a match that was originally scheduled for January 22.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
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