Kent State University
UAlbany
Volleyball Season Begins at JMU Invitational
8/25/2022 9:49:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
A new era of Kent State volleyball starts this weekend as first-year head coach Haley Eckerman's squad will play three matches at the JMU Invitational in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
The Golden Flashes open campaign with two matches on Friday, beginning with an early 10 a.m. contest against UAlbany. Following a break, Kent State will return to action against Robert Morris at 4 p.m. The Flashes will conclude the opening weekend against host James Madison on Saturday in a 7 p.m. match that will be streamed on ESPN+.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, August 26
10 a.m. Kent State vs. UAlbany
4 p.m. Kent State vs. Robert Morris
Saturday, August 27
7 p.m. Kent State at James Madison
PREVIEWING THE FLASHES
Kent State was picked third in the East Division in the 2022 Mid-American Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll, which was announced on Wednesday. The Flashes received on first-place vote, preventing Bowling Green from being the unanimous favorite. Senior Savannah Matthews was named to the East Division Preseason All-MAC Team for the second year in a row. Matthews posted averages of 2.95 points, 2.59 kills and 2.37 digs per set in 2021.
Highlighted by the entire starting unit, Kent State returns 13 student-athletes from last season's squad, including its and eight players entering their fourth or fifth season of college volleyball. Graduate students Erin Gardner, Alex Haffner and Danie Tyson enter their fifth season in a Flashes uniform. Overall, 75.7% of the team's points from last season are on the 2022 roster.
Setter Alex Haffner is a two-time All-MAC selection, earning second-team honors in 2020 and an honorable mention nod in 2019. Outside hitter Savannah Matthews joined Haffner on the second team in 2020.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
UAlbany
The Great Danes are picked to finish second in the America East Preseason Coaches' Poll. The finished 14-15 last season, but won five of their final six regular season matches heading into the America East Tournament, where they fell to UMBC in the championship game. Albany returns six players from last year's squad, including senior Malea Stanton and Charlotte Macken, but will have to replace 2021 America East Player of the Year Danielle Tedesco.
Robert Morris
The Colonials are looking to rebound in Head Coach Danny Doherty's first season after finishing at the bottom of the Horizon League in 2021. RMU is a young team with six sophomores and three freshman and are looking to start a new chapter in the program.
James Madison
The host Dukes, competing in their first season in the Sun Belt Conference, tied for first in the East Division in the Preseason Coaches Poll. JMU is led by junior Miëtte Veldman and senior Sophie Davis. Veldman garnered Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Honorable Mention All-Region honors last season, while Davis earned AVCA All-Region and All-CAA First Team honors herself.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State is 5-3 all-time against the tournament field. The Golden Flashes have goine 4-2 against Robert Morris, but have dropped the last two meetings, most recently a 3-1 loss in 2019. Kent State took down UAlbany in the lone meeting between the two, winning in five sets back in 2015. The Flashes have also met James Madison on the court only once, falling in five sets in 2010.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
