Kent State University
Hofstra
Flashes Enter Fairfield Invitational with Three-Match Winning Streak
9/3/2021 8:06:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Kent State volleyball team is back on the road this weekend for three matches at the Fairfield Invitational.
The Golden Flashes will wake up early for a 10 a.m. match against Hofstra on Friday and then take on host Fairfield at 7 p.m. Kent State's weekend will come to an end Saturday against Seton Hall at 11 a.m. Every match of the tournament will be streamed on Stags Sports Network.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, September 3
10:00 a.m.        Kent State vs. Hofstra      Â
7:00 p.m.          Kent State at Fairfield
Saturday, September 4
11:00 a.m.        Kent State vs. Seton Hall
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Hofstra
The Pride (2-2) evened their record with a 3-1 victory over St. Francis Brooklyn on Tuesday. Hofstra's front row has been a wall at the net, posting 2.73 blocks per set to help hold opponents to a .159 hitting percentage.
Outside hitter Ana Martinovic leads the team with 2.47 kills per set. Outside hitter/right side Zyare Abdul-Rahim and outside hitter Yagmur Cinel add 2.33 and 2.31 kills per set, respectively. Abdul-Rahim leads the Pride with 1.53 blocks per set. Setter Beatriz Alves is averaging 9.73 assists per set. Libero Chiara Cucco leads the back row with 4.47 digs per set.
Fairfield
Preseason Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference favorite Fairfield (0-3) went 9-1 in the spring but was unable to take a set against a challenging group of opponents at the Rainbow Wahine Classic. The Stags posted a team hitting percentage of .109 while allowing opposing attackers to hit for a .327 clip.
Two-time MAAC Setter of the Year Manuela Nicolini averaged 7.33 assists per game for the weekend. Outside hitter KJ Johnson, a Baylor transfer, made an immediate impact with a team-best 3.89 kills per set. Preseason All-MAAC selections Luci Albertson and Joelle Battles contributed 1.78 kills per set and 1.00 kills per set, respectively. Libero Georgia Via averaged 3.83 digs per set.
Seton Hall
The Pirates (0-3) won just a single set in three matches at the Weber State/Utah State Invitational on opening weekend.
Right side Emilee Turner led the offensive with an impressive .405 hitting percentage and 2.86 kills per set. Outside hitter Perri Lucas added 2.56 kills per set and All-BIG EAST outside hitter Tsvetelina Ilieva was close behind with 2.30 kills per set. Taylor Jakubowski (4.70 aps) and Cagla Bengi (4.60 aps) shared setting duties to start the season. Libero Raygan Murray leads the defense with 4.10 digs per set, while middle blocker Amanda Rachwal was disruptive at the net with 1.5 blocks per set.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTSÂ
Kent State has previously played each team in the tournament once, posting a 2-1 record. The Golden Flashes defeated Seton Hall 3-0 in 1997, beat Fairfield 3-1 in 2003 and lost to Hofstra 3-1 in 2015.
UP NEXT
Kent State will play its final road tournament of the season next weekend when it competes in three matches at the Kansas Invitational.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
