By: Mark Wasik
Friday, October 13
7 p.m. – Kennesaw State (9-8, 2-4 ASUN) vs North Alabama (10-8, 2-4 ASUN)
Location: Convocation Center | Kennesaw, Ga.
Sunday, October 15
1 p.m. – Kennesaw State (9-8, 2-4 ASUN) vs Central Arkansas (6-12, 0-6 ASUN)
Location: Convocation Center | Kennesaw, Ga.
KSU GAME NOTES
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State Volleyball continues its three-game homestand this weekend, as the Owls host North Alabama on Friday night at 7 p.m., followed by a Sunday, 1 p.m. contest against Central Arkansas. Friday is Owls Fund Appreciation Night at KSU and there will be a post-match poster autograph session with the players on the court as well. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Kennesaw State got off to a hot start to the season, winning seven of its first 10 games which included three victories over Power Five opponents. The Owls most recently recovered from a slump in Atlantic Sun Conference play with a home win over Queens, as they topped the Royals 3-0. During the game, the Owls recorded their second sweep on the year while posting a season-best team hitting percentage of .376. KSU looks to carry the momentum into the rest of the homestand as they host both North Alabama and Central Arkansas this weekend in the Convocation Center.
KSU has only suffered two losses at home this season, Western Michigan (3-0) and FGCU (3-2), and are hoping to keep that number from changing this weekend. The last time that the Owls had three home losses was in 2018.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sophomore outside hitter
Manu Johnsen, 2022 Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year and a preseason All-ASUN selection this season, ranks second in the conference in both kills with a team-high 3.56 per set and points per set with 4.10. Senior defensive specialist
Shelby Dennis is currently seventh in the ASUN with 4.11 digs per set, while a pair of Owls rank in the top 10 in blocks, as freshman
Olivia Burrage is fourth (1.00 bps) and senior
Claire Parsons is seventh (0.94 bps). Senior setter
McKinley Ferguson is second in the conference in assists with 9.82 per set. Also shining in 2023 is super senior
Emma Schurfranz, who is fifth in kills (3.14 kps), and fourth in points (3.87 ppg).
SCOUTING THE LIONS...
Despite an impressive start to the season, North Alabama has struggled to find its footing as of recent. Prior to conference play, they posted a record of 6-4, and then won four straight games to begin ASUN play, including sweeping three teams. However, since then North Alabama has lost four straight, including two in which the Lions were swept 3-0. During each of those four matches, they only had a hitting percentage above .200 one time.
Offensively, Anna Katherine Griggs and Magive Sullivan are the Lions two standout players. Griggs posts a .403 hitting percentage, which ranks second in the ASUN and is the 27th best mark in the nation, while Sullivan adds to that with a hitting percentage of .368, the fourth best in the ASUN and 65th best nationally.
SCOUTING THE BEARS...
After being voted fourth in the ASUN preseason poll, Central Arkansas will enter this weekend having dropped five straight, with their last win coming on September 16 against Arkansas-Pine Bulff.
On offense, Charlie Tidwell holds with Bears together with a hitting percentage of .247 and 2.90 kills per set. Another standout player is sophomore setter Caylan Koons, who posts 9.78 assists per set, second best in the ASUN and 70th nationally.
