By: by KSU Sports Information
Box Score
BOONE, N.C. -
Justine Young had 24 kills in her debut with the Owls and sophomore
Sara Metroka became the third player in program history to record 1,000 career assists, but the Kennesaw State volleyball team fell, 3-2 (20-25, 25-21, 38-36, 23-25, 15-9), to Charlotte at the Appalachian Invitational.
"While we were short-handed today, we still had multiple opportunities to win the match," said KSU head coach Karen Weatherington. "I think today will be a good learning experience for our younger players and hopefully we can come back tomorrow and have two winning efforts against two tough teams."
In a match that lasted well over two hours, the two teams nearly played six sets when the length of the third set is included. The Owls and 49ers played the NCAA's longest set of the young season, with Charlotte eventually winning, 38-36. The Owls had seven set points during the "overtime" portion of the set, while Charlotte had six. But after the players on both sides had given their all to try and pull the set out, a ball handing error whistled by the official ended the set in favor of the 49ers.
The Owls (0-1) showed their resiliency in the fourth set, bouncing back to win, 25-23. With the set tied, 21-21, kills by Young and freshman
Keyaira Stevenson put the Owls on top, 23-21. The teams swapped points, but with two set points in hand,
Emily Bean sent the match to a fifth set with her fourth kill of the set.
Unfortunately for the Owls, the Black and Gold went cold at the wrong time. With the score tied at 4, Charlotte scored five straight points thanks in part to three KSU attack errors. The 49ers built the lead up to seven before winning, 15-9.
Friday's match was a history-making night for KSU, even in the loss. Young's 24 kills tied the Owls' record for most kills in a match. Stevenson became the first KSU true freshman to record a double-double in her first match with 11 kills and 14 digs. Metroka and Young also recorded double-doubles in the loss for KSU.
The match featured 44 ties and 16 lead changes. Charlotte (1-0) had nine more kills than the Owls, led by Bianca Rouse's 21. Sheri Davis fell two digs short of a triple-double with 52 assits, 10 kills and eight digs.
The Owls will be back in action tomorrow as they continue play at the Appalachian Invitational. KSU will face the host Mountaineers at 12:30 p.m., followed by a 4:30 p.m. contest against N.C. State.
