Kent State University
Cleveland State
Volleyball Hosts Cleveland State on Thursday as Non-Conference Action Concludes
9/18/2024 1:10:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Kent State volleyball team will host Cleveland State at 6 p.m. on Thursday for the 2024 home opener at the M.A.C. Center to begin the final weekend of non-conference play. The first 200 students will receive a Kent State tumbler.
The Golden Flashes (1-7) will then travel to Youngstown State on Friday evening.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Thursday, September 19
6 p.m. Cleveland State at Kent State
Friday, September 20
6 p.m. Kent State at Youngstown State
PREVIEWING THE FLASHES
Kent State looks to return to the win column after a pair of 3-0 losses on the road to Xavier and Cincinnati last weekend.
Sophomore Logan Henderson has emerged as the Golden Flashes' top attacker and averages 2.30 kills per set. Henderson also leads the team with 24 total blocks.
Junior Kendall White ranks sixth in the Mid-American Conference in assists per set (7.61). Since sharing setting duties during opening weekend, White has averaged 9.56 assists per set over the past five contests. She recorded a new career-high 54 against Sacred Heart.
Junior Greta Bolognini averages 3.82 digs per set, which ranks eighth in the MAC, and has a team-high 10 aces.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Cleveland State
The Vikings (7-2) swept host Virginia Tech as part of 3-0 weekend at the Hokie Invitational. Cleveland State leads the Horizon League in both opponent hitting percentage (.182) and blocks per set (2.52).
Outside hitter Liberty Torres has been named a Horizon League Player of the Week after each of the Vikings' past two tournaments and ranks second in the conference in points per set (4.52) and third in kills per set (4.12) while posting an impressive .294 hitting percentage. Middle blocker Allana Appleby ranks second in the Horizon League at 1.27 blocks per set, while libero Emma Walker sits 21st nationally with 4.85 digs per set.
Youngstown State
The Penguins (4-5) are coming off their first winning weekend after posting victories over Canisius and Niagara at the Western New York Invitational. Three players have totaled more than 100 digs, helping Youngstown State to a No. 15 national ranking in digs per set (17.42).
Libero Nyla Setla leads the way at 4.33 digs per set, while setter Isabel Schaefbauer (3.39 dps) and outside hitter Abbie Householder (3.36 dps) have also been key contributors defensively. Househoulder is the top offensive option with averages of 4.52 points per set and 3.79 kills per set, ranking second and fourth in the Horizon League, respectively.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State is 32-24 all-time against Cleveland State, including a 2-0 record under head coach Haley Eckerman.
The Golden Flashes hold a decisive 22-5 edge against Youngstown State and had won five straight in the series prior to a 3-1 setback at the M.A.C. Center last season.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
