Kent State University
Akron
50 Years of Kent State Volleyball Celebration Highlights Rivalry Weekend
10/31/2024 5:07:00โฏPM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State will welcome back former Golden Flashes and celebrate the 50th season as a varsity program as this year's version hosts rival Akron for a pair of matches at the M.A.C. Center this weekend.
The weekend begins with a 'Gold Out' at 6 p.m. on Friday. The first 500 fans will receive a gold replica shirsey. The rivalry will continue at 4 p.m. on Saturday with the first 250 Flashes fans receiving a '50 Years of Kent State Volleyball' t-shirt.
Both contests will be streamed on ESPN+.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, November 1
6 p.m. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Kent State vs. Akron
Saturday, November 2
4 p.m. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Kent State vs. Akron
PREVIEWING THE FLASHES
Kent State (1-20, 0-11 MAC) looks to finish the season strong with five of the final seven matches scheduled to be played at the M.A.C. Center.
Junior Kendall White ranks ninth in the Mid-American Conference with an average of 7.24 assists per set. White has posted 10 double-doubles is second on the team in digs per set (2.58).
Junior Mackenzie McGuire has increased her production since the start of conference play and leads the attack with an average of 2.80 kills per set. Senior Anna Shoemake adds just under 2.00 kills per set and a .285 hitting percentage against MAC opponents.
Junior Greta Bolognini is the only Flash who has appeared in all 72 sets this season and leads the team in digs per set (3.28) and service aces (18).
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Akron
The Zips (8-16, 4-8 MAC) have lost five in a row but feature a high-powered offense that leads the nation in total kills (1,293) and total assists (1,239). Outside hitters Lauren Baker (3.48 kps) and Emanouela Christodoulou (3.16 kps) both rank in the top-10 in the conference in kills per set, while middle blocker adds 1.67 kills per set at an efficient .406 clip. Setter Eliska Vytiskova sits third in the MAC in service aces (35) and eighth in assists per set (7.59).
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State owns a 51-40 advantage in the rivalry with the Zips. The Golden Flashes have lost three in a row but have gone 16-6 over the past 22 matchups. The Zips' victory at the M.A.C. Center on Oct. 15, 2022 snapped Kent State's 10-game home winning streak in the rivalry.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
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