Saturday, September 26
3 p.m. – Kennesaw State vs. USC Upstate
Location: KSU Convocation Center | Kennesaw, Ga.
Links: Live Stats | A-Sun TV | Game Notes
Social Media: Twitter | Facebook
 
Game Preview
After defeating Georgia Tech in front of a record-breaking crowd, Kennesaw State now turns its attention to Atlantic Sun Conference play. The first conference match is against USC Upstate this Saturday, September 26 at 3 p.m. on A-Sun TV.
 
Both teams had a lot of success through the non-conference schedule as each team is off to the best start in program history.
 
Last season, the Owls went 2-0 against the Spartans, but both matches went five sets. Overall, Schunzel's teams are 3-1 against USC Upstate.
 
Kennesaw State Team Notes
• With the win against Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State capped its best non-conference season ever, finishing at 8-3. The Owls were also a perfect 5-0 against in-state opponents.
• Kennesaw State is 4-1 at home in the KSU Convocation Center this season. A large part of that are the energetic crowds that have been there for each match. Through five matches, the average crowd has been just over 723 people.
• The 1,556 fans in attendance against the Yellow Jackets set a new Kennesaw State volleyball record. In the Schunzel era, the support has been climbing as four of the top five matches attendance wise have come since he's been the head coach.
• Sophomore setter Kristi Piedimonte continued her strong play this season against Georgia Tech. She posted her fourth game this season with at least 40 assists. Piedimonte also had a season-high in digs with 19. It was her second double-double of the year.
• Going into conference play, KSU leads the A-Sun in hitting percentage at .251. The Owls have three players in the top nine spots in the A-Sun with Cierra Royster hitting .338, Sydni Shelton hitting .329 and Rachel Taylor hitting .289.
• Shelton has led the team in kills four times this season. Three of those four have been at home.
• Freshman middle blocker Liesl Engelbrecht got her first start in an Owl uniform against the Yellow Jackets and provided a spark immediately. She came up with three career highs with 10 kills, seven blocks and three service aces. The seven blocks in the match is a team high for KSU this season.
• In the eight wins that the Owls have had this season, they have swept five of their opponents. In Schunzel's first two seasons, his team has had six sweeps combined.
• Kennesaw State has had a very balanced offense with Piedimonte distributing the ball this season. The Owls have three players with over 100 kills with Kelly Marcinek leading the way with 107, Shelton is second with 103 and Anaiah Boyer has 102.
 
Next Up
Kennesaw State will finish its five-match home stand next weekend while taking on the two-time defending A-Sun Champions Jacksonville Dolphins and North Florida. The Owls will play the Dolphins on Friday, October 2 at 7 p.m. and the Ospreys Saturday, October 3 at 3 p.m. Both matches will be on ESPN3.
 
Stat Leaders (2015)
Kills: 107, Kelly Marcinek
Assists: 358, Kristi Piedimonte
Digs: 135, Katarina Morton
Blocks: 27, Rachel Taylor
Aces: 9, Maddie Jones
Attack Percentage: .338, Cierra Royster
 
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.