By: Mark Wasik
The Kennesaw State volleyball team hope to get back to form on its home court this weekend when the Owls host the Liberty Lady Flames in their ASUN home opener Friday at 7 pm in the Convocation Center.
KSU, picked third in the preseason ASUN coaches poll, began league play with a 3-0 sweep of North Alabama, before suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Central Arkansas on the divisional crossover weekend at Jacksonville State. The Owls closed out the weekend by taking the host JSU Gamecocks to five sets before falling 3-2.
The Owls are looking to avoid their first 1-3 start to ASUN play since
Keith Schunzel's first year as head coach, when KSU started 1-4 on the way to an 8-10 league record. KSU does have history on its side though against Friday's opponent, as it is a perfect 11-0 all-time against Liberty.
Players To Watch
Super senior
Lauren Chastang has done it all this season, as despite limited by injuries for several games earlier this season, is one of three players with over 100 kills with 158 while averaging 2.98 per set. She holds a .193 hitting percentage and leads the team in aces with 24, as well as double-doubles (6). Having a great season as well is junior Emma Schufranz with 174 kills (3.4 per set) and a team-high .236 hitting percentage. Senior
Bri Becerra meanwhile is posting a team-high 3.47 digs per game.
Scouting the Lady Flames
Liberty has had a streaky season so far in 2021, as the Lady Flames opened with three straight wins in the RMU Classic. That was followed however by their own Invitational in which they dropped three out of four matches, with the lone win coming over Navy. Liberty has had several games cancelled this season, as in addition to their opener at East Carolina, their tournament at Evansville was called off as well. Since Sept. 11, the Lady Flames have only played three games, which game in the ASUN Divisional Crossover Weekend at Lipscomb this past weekend. There, Liberty claimed wins over Bellarmine (3-2) and Eastern Kentucky (3-1) before dropping a 3-2 contest to the host Lipscomb.
Acing The Competition
The Owls have thrived behind the line this season, as in games played through Sept. 28, they ranked 29th in the nation in service aces per game with 1.87.
Record-setting Performance
Lauren Chastang is having an outstanding senior season for the Owls, as she tied the KSU record for most aces in a match with seven in the win over Alabama. Even more impressively, those came in a three-set match. Her seven aces are also the most in school history in a three-set match.
Chart Leaders
Lauren Chastang will leave her mark all over the Kennesaw State record book, as it took just a few games into her 2021 season to become the all-time kills and service aces leader. She currently has 1234 kills in her career, passing Sabrita Gulley (1240), while her seven aces against Alabama on September 9 moved her into first place with 125.
