By: Mark Wasik
Thursday, September 8
7 p.m. – Kennesaw State (5-1, 0-0 ASUN) at Mississippi State (5-0, 0-0 SEC)
Location: Starkville, Miss. | Newell-Grissom Building
Video Stream: SECN+
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Friday, September 9
4 p.m. – Kennesaw State (5-1, 0-0 ASUN) vs South Alabama (3-3, 0-0 Sun Belt)
Location: Starkville, Miss. | Newell-Grissom Building
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Saturday, September 10
12 p.m. – Kennesaw State (5-1, 0-0 ASUN) vs Houston (5-1, 0-0 AAC)
Location: Starkville, Miss. | Newell-Grissom Building
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State volleyball looks to keep their win streak alive this weekend but are facing its toughest three-game stretch of the season, as the Owls will play in the Maroon and White Invite in Starkville, Miss., on Thursday-Saturday. First up, on Thursday night at 7 pm on SECN+ is the host Mississippi State Bulldogs, just two spots out of being ranked in this week's AVCA poll and who holds a perfect record so far in 2022. The following day will see KSU face off against Sun Belt favorite South Alabama at 4 pm, before closing the three-day event on Saturday against Houston in a 12 pm match. Only the contest against the Bulldogs will have a video stream available.
It's safe to say that Kennesaw State has at least matched if not surpassed the preseason expectations for the squad after losing several key seniors from the 2021 team. The Owls are currently 5-1 on the year, with the lone loss on the road at a Power Five program (Wake Forest), and are bringing a three-match win streak into this weekend's Invite. In fact, it's a nine-set win streak for KSU as well, as the Owls have yet to give up a set at home in 2022.
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, while KSU is routinely playing 11-12 players a match.
PLAYERS TO WATCH…
Senior outside hitter
Emma Schurfranz highlights the returnees, as the preseason All-ASUN selection is posting 2.28 kills per set. She's far from the only one shinning though, as
Jasmine Brown currently paces the ASUN in hitting percentage at .386 and is second in blocks at 1.29 bps. Junior setting
McKinley Ferguson is having an outstanding junior season, ranking fifth in the ASUN in assists (9.76 apg) and tied for second in service aces (0.71 sapg).
Claire Parsons and
Shelby Dennis both also rank among the league leaders in blocks and digs, respectively.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS...
Mississippi State is a perfect 5-0 on the year, and that includes a 3-0 win at Lipscomb in the Bisons' home tournament this past weekend. MSU also knocked off Oklahoma (3-2) and Ball State (3-0) and own a road win at Notre Dame (3-0) as well this season. Gabby Waden is pacing the team in kills with 4.64 per set, while Lilly Gunter is posting 4.93 dps.
SCOUTING THE JAGUARS...
South Alabama is 3-3 this season, and have yet to play at home this season following season-opening trips to Tampa, Fla., and to Nacogdoches, Texas for the SFA Invitational.
Maddie Soboeski is the team's top offensive threat with 4.0 kps, while
Hannah Maddux is close behind with 3.04 kps. Rachel Hickey and Kailey Keeble both have over 90 kills with 98 and 95, respectively.
SCOUTING THE COUGARS...
Houston has matched the Owls' 5-1 start to the season, thanks to going 2-1 at the LSU Tiger Classic which included a 3-0 sweep of Samford, and a 3-0 weekend in its home tournament this past weekend. ASUN member Central Arkansas was one of the three opponents for Houston, a 3-0 win for the Cougars, while UH also knocked off Alabama and Oregon State.
Get those brooms out...
KSU has been making short work of the competition this season. The Owls have outscored its opponents 16-5 through the first six games, while their four 3-0 sweeps, over NC Central, Furman, High Point and Samford, ties for the most ever in the first six games of the year since the 2015 team accomplished the same feat.
