By: by Jason Hanes
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KENNESAW, Ga. - Senior
Asjia Stokes had a career-high 19 kills as Kennesaw State topped Rider, 3-1 (25-22, 25-17, 20-25, 25-12) on Saturday morning at the Great 8 Volleyball Challenge Presented by Residence Inn - Kennesaw.
"Asjia played with a lot of fire and intensity throughout the match," said KSU head coach Karen Weatherington, who has guided the Owls to their best start in program history with a 4-1 record. "Hitting .593 with that many kills is just a special performance."
Chelsey Denesha supplemented Stokes' attack with 12 kills and three aces, as the Owls converted nine serves for aces in the match, a new program record.
The Owls led for the duration of the first set, but had to withstand a late rally by Rider before holding on for the 25-22 win. In the second set, Stokes was close to unstoppable, converting on 5-of-7 attacks without an error to guide the Owls to a 25-17 win.
Rider mixed up the lineup in the third set and it paid off to the tune of a 25-20 win. But the fourth set would prove to be all Owls as the Broncs committed five service errors and five attack errors, helping the Owls cruise to a 25-12 win.
Rachael Albright nearly earned a double-double with 24 assists and nine digs. Selina O'Leary tied Rider's Amy Jeary for match-high dig honors with 15.
The Owls improved to 2-0 in the tournament and will wrap up play this evening at 6 p.m. at the KSU Convocation Center when they take on Nicholls State. NSU also sports a 2-0 record for the event after topping Alabama A&M, 3-1.
