Kent State University
Eastern Michigan
Volleyball Welcomes EMU for Monday Match
2/14/2021 6:17:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State will host Eastern Michigan for a Mid-American Conference volleyball contest at the Basketball and Volleyball Development Center at 5 p.m. on Monday.
The Golden Flashes are one of two remaining undefeated teams in the MAC following 3-1 victories over rival Akron this past week. The 6-0 start is the best to the conference season in program history and best overall start since winning nine straight to begin the 2007 season.
Redshirt junior Alex Haffner, a two-time MAC East Division Setter of the Week honoree this season, ranks in the top-10 nationally in assists per set (12.52 apg). Haffner has helped Kent State post a conference-best .280 hitting percentage with all six front row attackers with at least 70 attempts are hitting at a .199 clip or better.
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 last Monday, ranks fourth the conference in kills (4.00) and fifth in points (4.43) per set. Heberle averages a team-best 0.40 aces per set while ranking eighth in points per set (4.03) and sixth in kills per set (3.45). Junior Lana Strejcek (2.14 kps) leads the MAC with a .471 hitting percentage and 1.24 blocks per set. Junior Danie Tyson (1.86 kps) is hitting at a .376 clip, which is good for fourth in the conference.
Defensively, Kent State has held opponents to a .166 hitting percentage while averaging 17.52 digs per set and 2.24 blocks per set. Junior Erin Gardner averages a team-best 4.57 digs per set. Haffner (2.81 dps), senior Kaeleigh Stang (2.67 dps), Matthews (2.48 dps) and freshman Bryn Roberts (2.00 dps) have all been key contributors to the floor defense.
SCOUTING EASTERN MICHIGAN
After being unable to play the first two weeks of the season, the Eagles (1-3) dropped a pair of home matches to Western Michigan and then split two matches at Northern Illinois this past weekend. Eastern Michigan averages 14.27 kills per set, which is second-most in the MAC. Despite a conference-best 19.27 digs per set, the Eagles rank 11 in opponent hitting percentage (.262) and last in opponent kills per set (15.53).
Outside hitter Franki Strefling is having a terrific senior campaign, leading the MAC in points (4.93) and kills (4.67) per set while hitting at a .295 clip. Strefling ranks seventh in the league with a team-best 4.73 digs per set and collected her 1,000th career dig against Northern Illinois on Thursday. Outside hitter/right side Samantha Basham (2.67 kps) and middle blocker Abbey Kearney (2.39 kps) are other top attacking threats. Setter Jayden Otto ranks second in the MAC with 11.67 assists per set. Libero Bella Hommes (4.13 dps) has been a major contributor to a serve-receive unti that has been aced just 11 times in 15 sets.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State owns a 20-37-1 record all-time against Eastern Michigan and snapped a three-match losing streak with a 3-2 win at the M.A.C. Center last season. Head coach Don Gromala is 4-6 against the Eagles.
UP NEXT
Kent State is scheduled to play matches at Toledo on Thursday, February 18 and Friday, February 19.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
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