KSU Challenge
 
Thursday, Sept. 9
7 p.m. – Kennesaw State (4-2) vs #24 South Carolina (5-1)
 
Friday, Sept. 10
Griffin's Game
7 p.m. – Kennesaw State (4-2) vs Clemson (3-2)
4 p.m. – Santa Clara vs South Carolina
 
Saturday, Sept. 11
1 p.m. – Santa Clara vs Clemson
 
Location: Convocation Center | Kennesaw, Georgia 
Video Stream: ESPN+  (Nathan McCreary, Brandon Joseph)
Live Stats: Statbroadcast 
KSU GAME NOTES  |  SOUTH CAROLINA GAME NOTES

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KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State volleyball squad continues its week of action against the Power Five this Thursday and Friday with the KSU Challenge. First up is a matchup with 24th-ranked South Carolina on Thursday. That's followed by the Friday night contest against the Clemson Tigers. The match with the Tigers is also this year's Griffin's Game.
 
The Owls bring a season-high three-match win streak into the Challenge, as KSU followed up a 2-0 weekend at the Blazer Invitational at UAB with Tuesday night's thrilling 3-0 home sweep over Alabama. That was the fourth all-time win over a team from the SEC, and gave the Owls a six-set win streak as well, as they trailed 2-0 at UAB on Sunday before rallying with three straight to claim their first road victory of the season.
 
This week marks the first time in school history the Owls are hosting three straight Power Five schools. Also in this week's Challenge is Santa Clara, as the Bronocs will face South Carolina on Friday and Clemson on Saturday afternoon.
 
Scouting The Gamecocks
South Carolina brings a 5-1 record and a No. 24 national ranking into the Convocation Center Thursday night, as the Gamecocks have already faced three ranked opponents and knocked off two of them (#18 Washington State, #23 Rice).
 
Scouting The Tigers
The Tigers bring a 3-2 mark into Friday's match, though all three wins came on their home court. Clemson's two losses came at South Carolina and against UCF.
 
Acing The Competition
The Owls have thrived behind the line this season, as in games played through Sept. 5, they ranked 20th in the nation in service aces per game with 2.14, while the Owls 47 total aces placed them 18th as a team nationally.
 
Record-Setting Performance
Lauren Chastang is having an outstanding senior season for the Owls through the first six games, and that was on show again Tuesday night. 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 is 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 1273 kills in her career, passing Sabrita Gulley (1240), while her seven aces on Tuesday moved her into first place with 125..
 
Griffin's Game
KSU's sixth annual Griffin's Game will be this Friday, in their final game in the KSU Classic at 7 pm against Clemson. The annual fundraiser helps a local family in their fight against childhood cancer. Tickets for the contest are $10, while group tickets are also available. Fans can make donations or buy T-shirts as well to help the cause by clicking here.    
 

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