Kent State University
Toledo
Kent State Visits Toledo for Pair of Weekend Volleyball Matches
2/19/2021 7:19:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Kent State volleyball team will visit Toledo for a pair of matches. First serve on is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The Golden Flashes (6-1) lost for the first time this season, 3-1, to Eastern Michigan on Monday. Kent State, which had won each of its first six matches or four set or fewer, battled back from a 0-2 deficit to force a fifth set before falling to the Eagles.
The offense has averaged a conference-best 14.41 kills per set, which ranks 16th in the country. The Flashes have also posted the top hitting percentage (.263) in the MAC.
Redshirt junior Alex Haffner, a two-time MAC East Division Setter of the Week honoree this season, is second in the nation in assists per set (12.14 apg). Haffner is second on the team with seven aces.
Outside hitters Savannah Matthews and Taylor Heberle are off to sensational sophomore seasons. Matthews ranks fourth the conference in kills (4.00) and fifth in points (4.42) per set. Heberle averages a team-best 0.32 aces per set while ranking ninth in the MAC in points per set (3.66) and 10th in kills per set (3.16). Junior Lana Strejcek (2.00 kps) owns a .450 hitting percentage that ranks 19th nationally. Junior Danie Tyson (1.81 kps) is hitting at a .327 clip, which is good for seventh in the conference.
Defensively, Kent State is fourth in the MAC in digs (18.08) and blocks (2.23) per set. Junior Erin Gardner averages a team-best 4.69 digs per set. Haffner and Matthews added 2.77 digs per set each. Strejcek leads the conference with 1.27 blocks per set.
SCOUTING TOLEDO
The Rockets (2-4) were unable to play last weekend but have been one of the best blocking and serving teams in the conference this season. Toledo leads the MAC in blocks per set (2.62) and ranks second in aces per set (1.50).
Outside hitter Taylor Alt is has been impressive in her freshman season, ranking fifth in the MAC in points (4.44) and kills (3.77) per set. Alt's 29 kills against Ball State on February 4 are the most by any player in the conference. Setter Peyton Morman ranks fifth in the MAC with 10.35 assists per set. Middle blockers Olivia Vance and Rhyenne Filisi average 1.04 and 0.94 blocks per set, respectively. Libero Ryan Jaqua is fifth in the conference with 5.32 digs per set.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State is 32-31 all-time against Toledo following victories the past two seasons. Head coach Don Gromala is 4-5 against the Rockets.
UP NEXT
Kent State will host first-place Bowling Green on Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
