Friday, October 21
4 p.m. – Kennesaw State (14-4, 7-1 ASUN) at Jacksonville (8-12, 2-6 ASUN)
Location: Jacksonville, Fla. | Swisher Gymnasium
Video Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: JUDolphins.com
 
Saturday, October 22
8 p.m. – Kennesaw State (14-4, 7-1 ASUN) vs. North Florida (6-13, 4-4 ASUN)
Location: Jacksonville, Fla. | Swisher Gymnasium
Video Stream: UNFOspreys.com
Live Stats: UNFOspreys.com
 
KSU Game Notes  
 
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KENNESAW, Ga. –  Kennesaw State Volleyball is showing no signs of slowing down, as the Owls are currently holding a No. 35 RPI ranking thanks to a 14-4 overall record and first-place standing in the ASUN at 7-1 overall. Despite KSU's great start to league play, it's still a tight race in the standings four teams are all just one game behind the Owls at 6-2 (Jacksonville State, Central Arkansas, Liberty, Lipscomb), while FGCU is lurking close as well at 5-2.

That leaves this weekend as a pair of key road matches for the Owls, as KSU will be making the trip down to the Sunshine State to face off against both Jacksonville (Friday at 4 pm) and North Florida (Saturday at 8 pm). Both games will be held at JU in Swisher Gymnasium.

KSU has won its past seven games against the Dolphins, and nine of its last 10 against UNF, including last season's season sweep over the Ospreys, both by 3-0 margins.

The biggest key for KSU this season has been its overall depth, as a year ago the Owls were led mostly by the same two players on offense. This year is seeing a very balanced attack, as KSU is routinely playing 11-12 players a match, while the top five players in the kills category are all averaging over 2.0 kps.
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Dani Ballou is shining in her final season with the Owls, as the outside hitter is currently fifth in the ASUN in kills per set with a team-high 3.37, and is fourth in aces with 0.41 per set. Also ranking high on the charts is setter McKinley Ferguson who having an outstanding junior season, ranking 27th in the nation in assists (10.62 apg, third in ASUN) and 20th in aces (0.53 sapg, first in ASUN). Claire Parsons is fifth in the ASUN hitting percentage (.343) and first in blocks (1.21 bps), while Jasmine Brown is seventh in hitting percentage at .336. Shelby Dennis meanwhile paces the team in digs with 4.33 per set, fifth best in the league.
 
SCOUTING THE DOLPHINS
Jacksonville is looking to end their four-game losing streak and get their second home win against an ASUN opponent when it hosts the Owls this weekend. The Dolphins also have had each of their past five matches go to more than three sets. Their last three-set match was a loss to Austin Peay on September 30.

The Dolphins struggles this season show up on their offensive stats, as JU is in the bottom third of the ASUN in hitting percentage, kills per set, and assists per set.     
 
SCOUTING THE OSPREYS
North Florida is eying to move over .500 in league play this weekend in its games against KSU and Jacksonville State. UNF has not swept a weekend in ASUN action yet this year, and have only put together consecutive conference wins once (North Alabama, Queens).

The Ospreys are led by Mahalia White (3.95 kps) who ranks third in the ASUN in kills. Their defense is anchored by Rocio Moro (4.72 dps) who ranks second in the ASUN in digs per set.
 

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