Kent State University
UTSA
Golden Flashes Travel to North Dakota for Trio of Matches
9/10/2025 12:50:00โฏPM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State makes its furthest trip of the season when it plays three matches in the state of North Dakota this weekend. The Golden Flashes be in action at the University of North Dakota for single matches on Thursday and Friday and then travel to North Dakota State for a final match on Saturday.
The final two matches of the weekend will be streamed on the Summit League Network (subscription required).
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Thursday, September 11
1 p.m. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Kent State vs. UTSA (at North Dakota)
Friday, September 12
7 p.m. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Kent State at North Dakota
Saturday, September 13
12 p.m.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Kent State at North Dakota State
PREVIEWING THE FLASHES
Kent State went 2-1 at the Towson-Morgan State Invitational this past weekend with victories over New Orleans and Morgan State. The Golden Flashes enter the weekend ranked in the top five in the Mid-American Conference in kills per set (13.04), points per set (16.35), assists per set (11.91), blocks per set (1.96) and hitting percentage (.210).
Senior Mackenzie McGuire reached 1,000 career kills and 500 career digs during the opening match against New Orleans and ranks fourth in the nation in total kills (108) and eighth in total points (121.0). The outside hitter leads the MAC in both points per set (5.26) and kills per set (4.70). She has posted at least 17 kills in five of six matches to start the season.
A trio of newcomers have made immediate impacts to Kent State's attack, as freshman Macie Moreland (40), junior Mercedez Brown (39) and redshirt sophomore Adalynn Ginley (31) are the next three kills leaders. Redshirt junior Liliana Mechura is right behind with 29 kills and had a conference-best .391 hitting percentage.
Junior Christina Vigil ranks second in the MAC at 9.78 assists per set and has 48 digs to rank second on the team.
Ginley leads the with 1.06 total blocks per set, which puts her fifth in the conference. She recorded 11 solo blocks over last weekend's three matches. Sophomore Hailey Brenner is the team leader in digs (50) and service aces (10).
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
UTSA
The Roadrunners (2-3) have a balanced attack with four players who have posted at least 46 kills. Outside hitter Ally Tribe leads the way with 54 kills with outside hitter Taylor Gaines (47), opposite Gigi Mason (47) and middle blocker Caroline Tredwell (46) close behind. Gaines earned The American Conference Freshman Player of the Week honors for her performance at the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational.
North Dakota
The Fighting Hawks (0-5) have lost nine in a row going back to the 2024 season and took West Virginia to five sets last weekend. Outside hitter Paige Barber leads the way with 3.26 kills per set.
North Dakota State
The Bison (4-1) dropped from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 3-0 loss to Montana on Saturday. Outside hitter Lauren Jansen is the top attacker at 3.28 kills per set. Libero Rya Borer leads the defense with 3.50 digs per set.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTSย
Kent State lost to North Dakota State, 3-2, in a neutral site contest in 2014. This will be the first time the Golden Flashes play both UTSA and North Dakota.
KSU Travel Network
Fans looking to save on travel while supporting the Golden Flashes this year can use the Blue and Gold Travel Network to save on flights and hotels while giving back to Kent State student-athletes by booking at BlueAndGoldTravelNetwork.com.
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