By: By Joseph Feldman
2014 Schedule
KENNESAW, Ga. – After practicing for two weeks, the Kennesaw State volleyball team took the court on Sunday, August 17, for a black and gold intra-squad scrimmage.
The teams were mixed and matched throughout the five set outing that saw the gold team take four sets.
"With yesterday's successful gold and black intra-squad scrimmage, our team finished up a really solid two week preseason training block," head coach
Keith Schunzel said. "We continue to improve each day we train, and the team came into camp in a very good mindset of getting in the gym, working incredibly hard, learning and bonding together."
While there has been a lot of standouts so far this preseason, a few players have been especially impressive.
During the scrimmage, sophomore outside hitter
Fanise Cannon led the team with 21 kills and hit an extremely efficient .365 on the day.
"
Fanise Cannon learned a lot her freshmen year and is a completely different player this year," Schunzel said. "She had a great spring and summer and because of that is more confident in every aspect of her game. She has turned herself into one of our team's best all-around players, passing, attacking and defending at really high levels."
Another big standout in the early going of the season is senior
Ria Ridley. Like Cannon, she worked hard throughout the spring and came in ready for the season.
"
Ria Ridley has had one of the most dramatic rates of improvement that I have ever seen," Schunzel added. "Ria has completely changed her game from a year ago and has become a terminating machine. She has put herself in position to see a lot of playing time as a right side attacker."
Position wise, there is quite a battle going on at the setter position between junior
Michelle Witt and freshman
Kristi Piedimonte.
Witt, in limited playing time last season, finished with 34 assists and 18 digs including setting career-highs in assists and blocks against Stetson with 31 assists and nine blocks.
"
Michelle Witt is playing fantastic and doing it very confidently," Schunzel said. "It is by far, the best volleyball of her career."
Piedimonte, from St. Louis, Missouri, has brought a new energy to the setter position and comes to practice every day ready to improve.
"
Kristi Piedimonte is also doing some great stuff and improving everyday," Schunzel said. "Both setters will be key players for us this year."
The team continues to get ready for their 2014 opening game against Belmont on Friday, August 29 at 7:30 p.m.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State volleyball news follow the team on Twitter
@KSUOwlNation and
@KSUOwlsVB or by liking Kennesaw State University on
Facebook.
Fans are reminded that tickets to all 2014 home volleyball contests are free throughout the year. - #GoKSUOwls -
