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LYNCHBURG, Va. – Kennesaw State suffered both its first conference loss of the season and saw its three-match win streak snapped as the Owls dropped a 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-19) contest at Liberty on Friday night in ASUN women's volleyball action at Liberty Arena. This was the first-ever loss by the Owls to Liberty in 14 meetings, and it moved KSU's record to 9-4 overall, 2-1 in league play. The Flames improved to 10-5, 3-0 in conference play.
STAT OF THE GAME: The Owls' struggled in their first conference road test, hitting under .100 for the first time this season as they finished the night at .073 (28K-20E-109TA). KSU also finished with nine service errors in the three-set match.
SET ONE: Despite Liberty leading almost the entire way, the Owls had a chance near the end, despite trailing 12-6 at the start. The Flames were ahead 22-17 when KSU made a move, scoring four of the next five to close within one. The Owls then held off a set point to make it a 24-23 contest, before serving into the net to give Liberty a 1-0 advantage in the match.
SET TWO: Liberty took control early in the next set, going ahead 16-8 and the Owls never came close while falling behind 2-0.
SET THREE: The final set was back and forth over the first 18 points, before the Flames scored five straight to open a 14-9 advantage. KSU would put up a fight in this set, closing within three several times. The Owls then trailed 23-15 before scoring three in a row to threaten the home team, before eventually falling 25-19.
QUOTEABLE: "We put almost no pressure on Liberty tonight in any phase of the game. Not from our serve, block, or defense, and certainly not from our passing, setting or attacking.
Claire Parsons and
Jasmine Brown had solid nights attacking in the middle, but that's kind of where it ends. This team is still searching for leaders to want the ball in big moments and for our team collectively to want to be in big moments on the road against good teams. And tonight you saw what happens when you shy away from the moment. We will need leaders to step up, otherwise this will not be a one off on the road."
– KSU head coach Keith Schunzel
NOTES:
-Brown's seven kills in the match paced the Owls, while
Dani Ballou added six.
-Parsons finished the night with seven blocks, with setter
McKinley Ferguson adding six.
-
Shelby Dennis posted 21 digs in just three sets, for a 7.0 dps average.
NEXT TIME OUT: The Owls remain on the road for their first-ever meeting with new league member Queens on Saturday at 5 pm in Charlotte, N.C.
