Kent State University
Toledo
MAC Play Starts for Kent State Volleyball
9/24/2025 3:44:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Kent State volleyball team opens Mid-American Conference play this weekend with single matches at Toledo on Thursday and preseason favorite Bowling Green on Friday.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Thursday, September 25
6 p.m. Kent State at Toledo
Friday, September 26
6 p.m. Kent State at Bowling Green
PREVIEWING THE FLASHES
Kent State (5-6) split its two final non-conference matches, falling to Cleveland State (0-3) and then beating Youngstown State (3-2) last week.
Senior Mackenzie McGuire is the MAC leader in both points per set (4.87) and kills per set (4.36), while ranking 22nd in the nation in total kills (183). McGuire has recorded at least 17 kills in seven of 11 matches and ranks second in the conference in points per set (4.76).
A trio of newcomers have made immediate impacts to Kent State's attack, as junior Mercedez Brown (71), freshman Macie Moreland (70) and redshirt sophomore Adalynn Ginley (53) are the next three kills leaders. Ginley ranks fifth in the conference in both hitting percentage (.299) and blocks per set (1.03).
Junior Christina Vigil ranks second in the MAC at 9.43 assists per set and leads the Flashes with 103 digs.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Toledo
The Rockets (9-3) posted 3-0 sweeps in each of their three matches last weekend at the Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational and returns to Savage Arena for the first time since going 3-0 during the opening weekend of the season. Toledo ranks sixth in the nation in aces per set (2.47) and sixth in opponent hitting percentage (.134). Individually, setter Kelsey Smith ranks third in the MAC in assists per set (9.21) and defensive specialist/libero Grace Freiberger ranks third in digs per set (3.93).
Bowling Green
The Falcons (6-6) have bounced back from a tough early schedule that included three matches against ranked opponents and have won four of their last four matches. The preseason conference favorites are led by 2024 MAC Player of the Year Lauryn Hovey, who ranks second in the conference in points per set (4.86) and kills per set (3.93). Setter Amanda Otten is the MAC leader at 9.76 assists per set and ranks 11th nationally in total assists (449). Middle blockers Kendall Williams (1.23 bps) and Helen Wilford (1.00 bps) lead a defense that averages 2.39 blocks per set.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Toledo regained the all-time series lead, 37-35, with a pair of victories at the M.A.C. Center to end the 2024 regular season. Kent State had evened series the previous year in its most recent visit to Savage Arena.
The Golden Flashes are 24-66 all-time against Bowling Green, including a 1-14 record at the Stroh Center, which opened in 2011.
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.
FOLLOW KENT STATE VOLLEYBALL
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