By: by Jason Hanes
KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State's volleyball team will step out of Atlantic Sun Conference play for the final time this Wednesday when the Owls visit Chattanooga, Tenn., to take on the Chattanooga Lady Mocs. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
The Owls (13-9) have already clinched a winning record in non-conference matches for 2009, posting a 5-2 mark so far this season. The Owls haven't played a non-conference match since Sept. 22 when KSU lost 3-1 at Georgia State. KSU has defeated Marist, Bryant, Alabama A&M, Rider, and Nicholls State so far in non-conference matches, with the other loss coming at Toledo on August 29.
KSU is coming off a tremendous weekend, sweeping Campbell Friday night and winning in five sets over East Tennessee State. The driving force behind KSU's play was right side hitter Chelsey Denesha. The senior had consecutive double-doubles, starting with 12 kills and 12 digs as the Owls swept the Camels in Buies Creek, N.C. On Saturday in the A-Sun Match of the Week, Denesha came within two assists of a triple-double, recording 19 kills, 10 digs, eight assists, and two blocks in KSU's five-set win at ETSU. Denesha finished with 3.875 kills in two conference wins for the Owls as KSU moved into a tie for fifth place with Belmont in the A-Sun standings.
Sabrita Gulley also had a tremendous offensive weekend, averaging 4.375 kills per set in KSU's wins. Gulley now needs 13 kills for 300 on the season. Asjia Stokes had 21 kills against ETSU, tying Gulley for match-high honors. The senior went over the 300-kill mark for the season, becoming the first KSU volleyball player to record 300 kills in a season.
Chattanooga (11-12) has played 10 straight matches in three sets. During that stretch, the Lady Mocs are 3-7, with all of the matches coming in Southern Conference play. The Lady Mocs are 8-4 in non-conference matches this season, with two of those wins coming against ETSU and one of those losses coming against A-Sun foe Belmont.
Following Wednesday's match, the Owls will return home to face USC Upstate in an A-Sun match Friday night at 7 p.m.
