By: by Jason Hanes
KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State University's volleyball team will look to snap a three-match losing streak this weekend as it heads to Nashville to take on Belmont and Lipscomb in a pair of Atlantic Sun Conference matches. The Owls will face Belmont Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. CDT, before taking on Lispcomb at 2 p.m. CDT Saturday afternoon.
"Belmont and Lipscomb are two of the most talented, efficient teams in the conference," said KSU head coach
Karen Weatherington. "This trip will be a very good test for us to see how we have progressed."
The Owls (7-4, 2-2) are coming off three tough losses in recent days. Last Friday, the Owls had match point in the fifth set but eventually fell to East Tennessee State, 3-2. Saturday afternoon, the Owls rallied but were tripped up by Campbell, 3-1. Tuesday night in Atlanta, the Owls twice lost sets 25-23 in a 3-1 loss at Georgia State.
Senior
Asjia Stokes continues to pace the KSU attack, leading the way with 180 kills on the season. The North Chicago, Ill., native needs just 28 kills to match her high for a season of 208, set last year.
Sophomores
Callie Churchwell and
Holly Knight have both stepped up their defense at the net for the Owls in recent games. Knight had six total blocks against Georgia State, helping to reject GSU attacks to earn four of the last five points in the second set win for KSU. Churchwell had five total blocks against the Panthers, and is now tied with Knight in total blocks with 36.
Belmont (6-8, 2-2) has won its last two matches, winning at Stetson last Saturday before defeating Chattanooga on the road Wednesday night. Maggie Johnson leads Belmont with 3.29 kills per set.
Lipscomb will face Mercer on Friday night but enters the weekend with an 8-3 overall mark and a 5-0 record against A-Sun foes. The Bisons are led offensively by Meghan Hinemeyer's 3.77 kills per set, while setter Stefine Peace was named A-Sun Player of the Week Monday after crossing the 3,000 career assist threshold.
