Kent State University
Cleveland State
Home Opener Highlights Final Non-League Weekend for Kent State Volleyball
9/13/2023 12:20:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State returns to Northeast Ohio to battle a pair of Horizon League opponents for the final non-conference weekend of the 2023 volleyball season.
The Golden Flashes (3-6) will travel Cleveland State on Thursday at 6 p.m. and then host Youngstown State for the home opener at the M.A.C. Center on Friday at 4 p.m., which will be streamed on ESPN+.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Thursday, September 14
6 p.m. Kent State at Cleveland State
Friday, September 15
4 p.m. Youngstown State at Kent State
PREVIEWING THE FLASHES
Kent State went 2-1 this past weekend at the Western New York Invitational behind the strength of its defense. The Golden Flashes averaged 2.42 blocks per set and held opponents to a .154 hitting percentage. Senior Bryn Roberts earned Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week honors after averaging 4.83 digs per set. Graduate student Burgundy Walters totaled a team-high 13 blocks, including three solo stuffs.
Walters averages 1.00 block per set for the season, which is tied for second in the MAC. Roberts ranks third in the conference in digs per set (4.69) and sixth in service aces per set (0.44). Outside hitter Mackenzie McGuire has been the go-to attacker and sits third in the MAC with 3.57 kills per set. Right side Anna Shoemake (53), middle blocker Kiana Mack (52) and outside hitter Logan Henderson (51) also have more than 50 kills through the first three weeks of the season.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Cleveland State
The Vikings (5-4) have won just twice since going unbeaten during opening weekend. Both of those victories were against MAC schools, a 3-2 win at Miami and 3-1 win in the home opener last Wednesday. Defense has been a strength, as CSU ranks second in the Horizon League in blocks per set (2.65) and opponent hitting percentage (.182). Middle blocker Madison Olinger is second in the conference individually with 1.06 blocks per set and defensive specialist Emma Walker anchors the back row with 4.41 digs per set. Outside hitter Laken Voss is the Vikings' go-to attacker and averages 2.95 kills per set.
Youngstown State
The Penguins (4-5) dropped its final two matches Owls Paradise Classic to fall back below .500 on the season. Led by libero Isidora Sisic, YSU ranks second in the Horizon League in digs per set (16.17). Sisic averages a team-high 4.71 digs per set. Outside hitter Jazmin Vergara has been the Penguins' top attacker and averages 3.52 kills per set. Setter/right side Josi Borum adds 5.49 assists per set, 2.34 digs per set and 2.33 kills per set.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State is 31-24 all-time against Cleveland State after a 3-0 home victory last year. The Golden Flashes hold a decisive 22-4 edge against Youngstown State and are 12-1 in matches at the M.A.C. Center with the lone loss coming in the first of those 13 meetings during the 1976 season.
UP NEXT
Kent State will start conference play at the M.A.C. Center next week against Buffalo on Friday, Sept. 22 and Saturday, Sept. 23. Both matches will be broadcast on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
