JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Kennesaw State made quick work of the North Alabama Lions Friday afternoon, claiming its third 3-0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-22) sweep of the season in the ASUN volleyball opener for both teams. The Owls are playing three games at Jacksonville State this weekend as part of the ASUN divisional crossover opener.

The Owls were in control almost the entire match, leading throughout the first and third sets. It was all KSU in the first set with an 11-point win. The second set however looked like it would go to the Lions, who led by as much as six at 18-12. Separate 3-0 and 5-0 runs brought the Owls back into the game as they took a 22-21 edge, while Lauren Chastang finished it off with a kill for the win. 

KSU never trailed in set three but the Lions made it a contest after trailing 20-13, thanks to an 8-1 run to tie the game at 21-21. Chastang made sure there would not be a fourth set though with her first ace of the afternoon to give the Owls match point.

OWL OF THE GAME: Emma Schurfranz led the team in kills with 11 while also posting a .348 hitting percentage (11K-3E-23TA). She also added a pair of blocks and a dig in the victory.

STAT OF THE GAME: UNA had negative hitting percentages in two of the three sets. The Owls meanwhile finished at .221 (39 K-16E-104TA).

QUOTEABLE: "I'm happy with the result and being 1-0 in league play is always good. But we certainly made some things a little tougher on ourselves than we needed to. Props to North Alabama, they are tremendously improved and served and passed the ball very well today. Our defensive intensity and play-making really fell off in set 2 and 3. That along with some bad errors forced us to have to fight to come away with the sweep but to our team's credit that's exactly what we did. Shelby Dennis played really well today and made a number of key plays late in both sets. She continues to be one of our most consistent performers."– KSU head coach Keith Schunzel 

NOTES: 

• A pair of Owls just missed double-figures in kills, as Chastang and Claire Parsons both finished with nine each. Parsons also finished with a .500 hitting percentage (9K-2E-14TA).
• Dennis had three of the Owls' four aces in the match.
• Bri Becerra led the team with 17 digs, while McKinley Ferguson had a team-high 34 assists.

NEXT TIME OUT: The Owls return to action Saturday against Central Arkansas at 4 pm, before closing out the weekend with a Sunday match against host Jacksonville State at 6 pm.