Kent State University
Northern Illinois
Kent State to Visit NIU, WMU for Volleyball Action
10/9/2024 5:01:00โฏPM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State volleyball continues Mid-American Conference play with road volleyball matches against Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.
The Golden Flashes and Huskies will battle at 7 p.m. ET Thursday on ESPN+. First serve against the Broncos is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday and will stream on Bronco All-Access.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Thursday, October 10
7 p.m. ETย ย ย ย ย ย Kent State at Northern Illinois
Friday, October 11
6 p.m. ET ย ย ย ย ย Kent State at Western Michigan
PREVIEWING THE FLASHES
Kent State (1-13, 0-4 MAC) has not been able to established a consistent rotation, as junior Greta Bolognini and freshman Hailey Brenner are the only team members who have appeared in all 48 sets this season. Bolognini has earned the libero jersey in her first season as a Golden Flash and ranks ninth in the MAC in digs per set (3.92) and has a team-high 16 aces.
Junior Kendall White surpassed 1,000 career assists during Saturday's match at Buffalo. White ranks seventh in the conference in assists per set (6.88) and is second on the team at 2.55 digs per set.
Junior Mackenzie McGuire leads the attack with an average of 2.51 kills per set. Sophomore Logan Henderson and redshirt senior Karina Salinas add 2.03 kills per set and 1.90 kills per set, respectively.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Northern Illinois
The Huskies (2-12, 0-4 MAC) dropped a pair of five-setters to Akron last weekend, extending their losing streak to six.
Libero Crew Hoffmeier ranks fifth nationally with an average of 5.34 digs per set. Middle blocker Charli Atiemo leads the way with 38 total blocks and ranks fifth in the MAC with a .321 hitting percentage while contributing 2.53 kills per set. Outside hitter Nazli Guvener leads the NIU attack with 3.08 kills per set.
Western Michigan
The Broncos (5-10, 1-3 MAC) have lost eight of their last nine following a 4-2 start that included victories against No. 24 Marquette and Michigan State.
All-American setter Logan Case ranks third nationally with an average of 11.24 assists per set. Outside hitters Keona Salesman and Julia Marr have been the go-to options with averages of 3.35 kills per set and 3.00 kills per set, respectively. Libero Andelyn Simkins ranks second in the MAC at 4.82 digs per set.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State owns a 16-40 record all-time against Western Michigan and had won five of the six meetings prior to a current five-match losing streak.
The Golden Flashes are 11-24 against Northern Illinois. Each of the past four matches have been decided in just three sets with both teams winning twice.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
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