Friday, October 7
7 p.m. – Kennesaw State (10-4, 3-1 ASUN) at Jacksonville State (16-1, 4-0 ASUN)
Location: Jacksonville, Ala. | Pete Mathews Coliseum
Video Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
 
Saturday, October 9
1 p.m. – Kennesaw State (10-4, 3-1 ASUN) vs. Jacksonville State (16-1, 4-0 ASUN)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Convocation Center
Video Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
 
KSU Game Notes  
 
Follow KSU Volleyball on Social - Twitter  |  Instagram

KENNESAW, Ga. –  Kennesaw State volleyball is looking to keep up pace with the leaders in the ASUN this weekend, but the Owls face a tough challenge as they play a pair of games against current conference front-runner Jacksonville State, who brings one of the top records in the nation into the weekend at 16-1. The Gamecocks are also 4-0 in league play, while KSU is just one game back at 3-1 (10-4 overall). The first game will be played at Jacksonville, Ala., in a 7 pm (EST) contest on Friday. Sunday will see JSU make the trip to Kennesaw for a 1 pm contest in the Convocation Center.

The Owls also looking to snap a two-game losing streak to JSU after dropping both games a season ago. While the Gamecocks have been strong this season, the Owls are close behind, with both teams ranking in the top 61 in the nation in RPI.

The teams will first play on Friday in Jacksonville, Ala., before coming back to Kennesaw for a Sunday afternoon game in the Convocation Center, where the Owls have won their past 11 straight home games, which ranks as the 11th-longest active home win streak in the nation.

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 all range between 82-118.
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Senior outside hitter Emma Schurfranz highlights the returnees, as the preseason All-ASUN selection is posting 2.57 kills per set. She's far from the only one shinning though, as Claire Parsons is third in the ASUN hitting percentage (.350) and fourth in blocks (1.10 bps), while Jasmine Brown is ninth in hitting percentage at .324. Junior setting McKinley Ferguson is having an outstanding junior season, ranking fourth in the ASUN in both assists at 10.2 apg and aces at 0.47. Dani Ballou meanwhile is currently eighth in kills per set (3.11 kps) and Shelby Dennis is sixth in digs (4.23 dpg).
 
SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS
Jacksonville State has been one of the top teams in the nation so far in 2022, as the Gamecocks will bring a 16-1 overall record into the two contests. As expected for a team with its record, JSU is currently in the top 11 in the nation in both hitting percentage (.299) and opponent hitting percentage (.152).

Pacing the team this season is Lena Kindermann with a 3.48 kps average 9216 total), while Katie Montgomery (2.50 kps) and Sophie Riemersma (2.42 kps) are two more threats for the Gamecocks. Erin Carmichael is a player to look for on defense, posting 3.71 digs per set.
 

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video