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Score: Kennesaw State 3, Alabama State 0
Records: Kennesaw State (1-0), Alabama State (1-0)
Key Players: Kristi Piedimonte (36 assists), Anaiah Boyer (11 kills), Katarina Morton (11 digs)
 
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State volleyball team started out their season with a bang as they downed Alabama State 3-0 (25-20, 25-12, 25-14) at home in the Kennesaw State Invitational.
 
With KSU leading 11-10 in the opening frame, the Owls used a timeout and came out immediately with a 4-0 run behind two kills from Sydni Shelton. Kennesaw State maintained that lead closing out the set 25-20.
 
After grabbing early leads in the second and third sets, the Owls used a pair of runs that went 11-2 and 12-4 to close out the Hornets in the match.
 
KSU will be back on the court tomorrow for two matches. The first one is at 12:30 against Savannah State and then they will play at 7:30 against Jacksonville State.
 
Coach Schunzel on the Opening Win
"It's always good to come out with a win on night one when everybody has nervous energy and is excited to play. After a long preseason, you're ready to play against another team. I was most pleased tonight with our balance on offense. We had five players with six or more kills. Liesl came in and got a few. Our setter distributed it really well, and I was really happy with how we distributed it offensively.
- Kennesaw State Head Coach Keith Schunzel
 
Notes
- As Schunzel mentioned, five players had six different kills in the three set match. Boyer led the team with 11 followed by Sydni Shelton and Kelly Marcinek with eight and Cierra Royster and Rachel Taylor each had six.
- The 36 assists that Piedimonte had were the most she has had in a three-set match in her career so far. She also had five digs.
- Four freshmen made their debuts in an Owls uniform and each impacted the game in their own way. Shelton led the team hitting .538 with eight kills. Maddie Jones was second on the team with seven digs. Karla Radillo earned her first career start and had four digs in the match. Liesl Engelbrecht saw some action in the second and third sets and had two kills, three blocks and an ace.
- The Owls unveiled their new white uniforms against Alabama State tonight.
 
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 2015 home volleyball contests are free throughout the year.