Kent State University
Cleveland State
Thursday Home Opener Highlights Kent State Volleyball’s Final Non-Conference Week
9/16/2026 8:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
For the fifth year in a row, Kent State will finish the non-conference volleyball slate against the two Horizon League schools located in Northeast Ohio.
The Golden Flashes will play the 2026 home opener against Cleveland State on Thursday and then travel to Youngstown State on Friday. Both matches are scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Thursday, September 17
6 p.m. Kent State vs. Cleveland State (ESPN+)
Friday, September 18
6 p.m. Kent State at Youngstown State (ESPN+)
PREVIEWING THE FLASHES
The Golden Flashes (5-4) won nine of 11 sets during a 3-0 weekend of action at the Laker Invitational, which concluded with a sweep of previously-unbeaten Columbia. The offense recorded a hitting percentage of .287 or higher in two of the three contests, while the defense held opponents below a .175 clip in two matches.
Senior Christina Vigil ranks fifth in the Mid-American Conference with an average of 7.20 assists per set. Vigil is also versatile as a defender and averages 1.34 digs per set and 0.40 blocks per set.
Senior Mercedez Brown has been Kent State's most consistent attacker and has a team-high 82 total kills (2.34 per set). Brown posted double-digit kills in all three matches this past weekend and has five double-figure performances on the season.
Junior Nadia Miller and redshirt junior Adalynn Ginley have been efficient options in the middle. Miller averages 1.77 kills per set and hits .268, while Ginley adds 1.56 kills per set and a .328 hitting percentage. Miller also averages a team-best 0.87 blocks per set, which ranks 10th in the conference.
Lesley Furuta is having a breakout junior campaign in the libero jersey. Furuta ranks fourth in the MAC with an average of 4.11 digs per set, and her career-high 29 digs against UT Arlington on Sept. 4 are the most by any player in the conference this season. The Columbus, Ohio native has also excelled from behind the service line and sits third in the league in total aces (14).
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Cleveland State
The Vikings (3-6) look to bounce back from going 0-3 at their home tournament this past weekend. Aggressive serving has been a pick part of the offense and Cleveland State ranks 19th in the country with an average of 2.18 aces per set. Outside hitter Bryn VanVleet leads the attack with 2.79 kills per set and right side Jazen DeBina is close behind at 2.66 kills per set. Libero Vayda Delventhal anchors the defense with 4.21 digs per set.
Youngstown State
The Penguins (3-6) have lost five of six over the past two weekends and took Ohio State to five sets in their most recent match on Saturday. Outside hitter Kylie Surratt, a transfer from UT Martin, has powered the attack and averages 3.91 kills per set. Surratt came within one of tying the YSU program record against Marshall on Sept. 5 with 34 kills, which is tied for the most by a Division I player in 2026. Defensive specialist Brie Habeeb leads the defense with 2.81 digs per set.
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State is 32-26 all-time against Cleveland State, including a 2-2 record under head coach Haley Eckerman.
The Golden Flashes hold a decisive 23-6 edge against Youngstown State and are 2-2 during the Eckerman era.
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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