Kent State University
Butler
Kent State Volleyball Starts Season at Bulldog Brawl
8/24/2023 1:41:00โฏPM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State travels to historic Hinkle Fieldhouse as the 2023 volleyball season begins with three matches at the Bulldog Brawl.
The Golden Flashes' opening match against host Butler at 12 p.m. on Friday will be streamed on YouTube. Kent State is scheduled for two matches on Saturday with a 10 a.m. contest against UC San Diego and a 1 p.m. contest against Fresno State.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, August 25
12 p.m.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Kent State at Butlerย ย
Saturday, August 24
10 a.m.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Kent State vs. UC San Diego
1 p.m. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Kent State vs. Fresno State
PREVIEWING THE FLASHES
Kent State was picked fourth in the East Division in the 2023 Mid-American Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll, which was announced on Wednesday. Bowling Green and Ball State received 11 first-place votes each to win their respective division with the Falcons edging the Cardinals in votes to win the MAC Tournament, 6-5. Western Michigan received the final vote.
Outside hitter Mackenzie McGuire seeks to build on a MAC All-Freshman Team campaign in which she averaged of 3.01 kills and 1.39 digs per set. Defensive specialist/libero Bryn Roberts is the only four-year member of the program, totaling 247 sets played and 722 digs in a Golden Flashes uniform.
A quartet of mid-year transfers gained familiarity playing in second-year head coach Haley Eckerman's system during the spring season. Middle blocker Kiana Mack (UAB) and right side/outside hitter Anna Shoemake (Duquesne) have the most collegiate experience of the group. Mack totaled 372 kills and 215 blocks over four seasons with the Blazers while Shoemake recorded 269 kills and 100 blocks in two seasons for the Dukes. Middle blocker Burgundy Walters (Mississippi State) and setter Kendall White (Libery) complete the quartet.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Butler
The Bulldogs were picked eighth in the BIG EAST preseason poll after finishing 16-15 last season. Two-time BIG EAST Libero of the Year Jaymeson Kinley headlines the returners after averaging 5.42 digs per set to rank 10th in the nation a year ago. Outside hitter/opposite Mariah Grunze was Butler's top attacker in 2022 and averaged 3.35 kills per set. Setter Cora Taylor earned a spot on the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team after averaging 9.36 assists per set.
UC San Diego
The Tritons were picked to finish seventh in the Big West preseason coaches' poll entering the third year of the program's Division I era. All-conference outside hitter Ava McInnes led the Big West in both kills (3.81) and points (4.35) per set last fall. Outside hitter Zaria Henderson (2.65 kps) and middle blocker Shara Da Silva (1.03 bps) provide experience in the front row.
Fresno State
The Bulldogs were picked last in the Mountain West Conference preseason poll after going just 1-17 in league play last season. All-MWC selections outside hitter Ella Rud and middle blocker Grace Doyle lead a group of experienced returners. Rud led the attack last year with 3.47 kills per set and Doyle added 2.63 kills per set. Setters Brooke Cowie (5.88 aps) and Hannah Waters (5.07 aps) split setting duties in the 6-2 system.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTSย
Kent State will be playing UC San Diego and Fresno State for the first time and owns a 2-6 record all-time against Butler. The Golden Flashes have lost three in a row by a 3-0 score and last defeated the Bulldogs in 2009, 3-2.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball onย Twitter,ย Instagramย andย Facebookย for news and updates about the squad.
