Kent State University
Xavier
Golden Flashes Visit Xavier and Cincinnati for Volleyball Action
9/12/2024 12:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State begins a stretch of six consecutive matches in the state of Ohio this weekend with a pair of contests in the Queen City.
The Golden Flashes (1-5) open the weekend against Xavier. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday on FloVolleyball.
Kent State will then head across town to battle Cincinnati on Saturday at 1 p.m. This match will be streamed on ESPN+.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, September 13
6 p.m. Kent State at Xavier
Saturday, September 14
1 p.m. Kent State at Cincinnati
PREVIEWING THE FLASHES
Kent State earned its first win of the season in a 3-0 sweep against NJIT last Friday at the Seton Hall Classic. After nearly completing a reverse sweep against Sacred Heart the next day, the Golden Flashes fell to the host Pirates on Sunday, 3-1.
Sophomore Logan Henderson was named to the All-Tournament Team after posting averages of 3.09 kills and 1.09 blocks per set. Henderson recorded double-figure kills in all three contests. She now leads the team with 47 kills on the season.
Junior Kendall White ranks fifth in the Mid-American Conference in assists per set (7.14 aps) after taking over full-time setting duties last weekend and recorded a new career-high 54 against Sacred Heart.
Junior Greta Bolognini averages 4.00 digs per set, which ranks sixth in the MAC, and has a team-high eight aces.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Xavier
The Musketeers (1-5) defeated Saint Louis last weekend for their only win of the season. Xavier has a team hitting percentage of just .171 and has hit better than .191 in just a single match.
Outside hitter Anna Taylor (2.54 kps) and middle blocker Sarah Stevens (1.29 kps, 1.00 bps) were named to the Billiken Invitational All-Tournament Team. Outside hitter Emma Grace is averaging a team-high 2.63 kills per set. Setter Logan Flaugh ranks fifth in the Big East in assists per set (9.63).
Cincinnati
The Bearcats enter at 4-2 and will play its first match of the season at Fifth Third Arena on Saturday. Cincinnati has played beyond the third set just once, a 3-1 loss to UAB. Defense has been a strength, as opponents have posted a .153 hitting percentage and the Bearcats rank 17th nationally with an average of 2.95 blocks per set.
Three different attackers already have more than 50 kills on the season. Outside hitter Sydney Nolan is the leader with 60 and outside hitter Carly Glendinning is close behind with 57. Middle blocker/right side Abby Walker (57 kills) is hitting .406 and has a team-high 25 blocks. Setter Katelyn Lefler averages 9.79 assists per set.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTSÂ
Kent State is 4-5 all-time against Xavier. This will be just the second matchup during the 21st century. The Musketeers won the last meeting, 3-0, in Dayton as part of the A10/MAC Thanksgiving Classic on Nov. 26, 2005.
The Golden Flashes are 3-14 all-time against Cincinnati. The teams most recently played on Sept. 3, 2010, with the Bearcats earning a 3-0 victory. Kent State's last victory in the series came on Sept. 3, 1993.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
