Kent State University
Niagara
Kent State Volleyball Back in Action, Heads to Mercyhurst for Laker Invitational
9/10/2026 10:44:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Kent State volleyball team continues non-conference competition this weekend with three matches at the Laker Invitational, which will be hosted by Mercyhurst.
Every match of the tournament will be streamed on NEC Front Row.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, September 11
10 a.m. Kent State vs. Niagara (NEC Front Row)
7 p.m. Kent State at Mercyhurst (NEC Front Row)
Saturday, September 12
11 a.m. Kent State vs. Columbia (NEC Front Row)
PREVIEWING THE FLASHES
The Golden Flashes (2-4) were unable to get a victory at the UTA Tournament last weekend but took the host Mavericks to five sets.
Senior Christina Vigil was named to the all-tournament team ranks sixth in the Mid-American Conference with an average of 6.58 assists per set.
Junior Lesley Furuta tallied a career-high 29 digs in the matchup with UTA last Friday evening, which is the most by a MAC player this season. Furuta averages a team-high 4.04 digs per set, which ranks fourth in the conference.
Senior Mercedez Brown leads the offense with 48 kills. Junior Vanessa Imoh (41 kills) and junior Nadia Miller (40 kills) have also been productive attackers over the first two weekends.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Niagara
The Purple Eagles return to action for the first time since opening weekend when they went 0-3 and won just one set at Marshall's Herd Classic. Outside hitter Karlotta Kattai leads the team with an average of 2.86 kills per set and Katelynn Rottman adds 2.20 kills per set.
Mercyhurst
The Lakers (2-4) will be in action at home for the second weekend in a row. Both of their wins this season went all five sets, while only one of four losses has gone beyond three sets. Opposite Julia Shepherd (3.22 kills/set, .347 hitting percentage) is one of only 15 Division I players with at least 70 kills and a .340 hitting percentage. Outside hitter Roslyn Guerra adds 2.17 kills per set.
Columbia
The Lions went 3-0 at its home season last weekend, surpassing their win total from 2025. Opposite Avery Jones earned Ivy League Player of the Week honors after averaging 2.58 kills per set while hitting at a .329 clip. Outside hitter Elise Hiemstra only appeared in Columbia's final two matches and posted 4.00 kills per set and a .418 hitting percentage en route to being named Ivy League Newcomer of the Week.
UP NEXT FOR THE FLASHES
Kent State will close the non-conference slate by hosting Cleveland State on Thursday, Sept. 17 and then traveling to Youngstown State on Friday, Sept. 18.
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