BOX SCORE (PDF) | BOX SCORE (XML)

NASHVILLE, TENN. – The Kennesaw State volleyball team opened up their 2014 season in style as they spoiled Belmont's home opener in front of a rowdy crowd by winning three sets to one.
 
"I'm so incredibly proud of the effort our team gave in front of a huge crowd in a very emotional match," said head coach Keith Schunzel. "We battled back time and time again and kept giving ourselves chances to win sets three and four. Anytime you out dig a team by 19 and win really tight sets shows a lot of character and heart. While the execution wasn't always there for us tonight, the things that matter most were and I'm so proud of our team for that."
 
With the match tied at a set a piece, the Owls held off eight set points from Belmont to end up winning the marathon set 36-34. Kelly Marcinek had one of her kills to finally give the Owls a set point and then an attack error by Belmont gave it to the Owls.
 
Then in the fourth set, KSU found themselves down 14-18 late in the set and responded with a 6-0 run to take a 20-18 lead. The Bruins would come back again and take a 25-24 lead, but the Owls would hold off one more set point and go on one more run to close out the match 27-25.
 
The Owls knew they were in a fight with as close as the first set was. Marcinek stepped up late in the set and got two kills to put the Owls up 20-17 and forced Belmont to take a timeout. Out of the timeout, Belmont went on a run to tie it at 20, but the Owls responded with a run of their own behind Fanise Cannon. She had a kill and a block back-to-back to give the Owls a set point. The Owls finished off the set 25-22 on one of Ria Ridley's four kills.
 
In the second set, the Bruins would win their only set after jumping out to a lead early and went on to win the set 25-13.
 
Marcinek picked up right where she left off last year as she had a double-double with a career-high 20 digs and 13 kills.
 
Freshman libero Katarina Morton showed her defensive prowess leading the team with 22 digs in her first collegiate match.
 
Cierra Royster and Cannon had 10 kills a piece in the match.
 
Setter Michelle Witt finished the match with 39 assists and eight digs.
 
The Owls will be right back on the court tomorrow morning at 12:30 p.m. ET to take on Evansville. Later in the afternoon, they will close out the tournament at 3:30 p.m. ET against Youngstown State.
 

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.
 
 

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video