Follow KSU Volleyball - Twitter | Instagram
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Kennesaw State volleyball went to a fifth set for the fourth time in league action, as the Owls saw a 2-1 advantage slip away in a 3-2 loss (25-23, 23-25, 15-25, 30-28, 15-13) at Jacksonville University on Saturday night in Atlantic Sun conference action.
STAT OF THE GAME: After holding a 2-1 edge after the first two sets while committing just 14 errors, KSU would commit 17 errors over the final two sets, while hitting at .04 (8K-7E-25TA) in the fifth and final set. JU meanwhile committed just four total errors in the last two sets.
THE RUNDOWN – Both of the first two sets were back and forth between the teams. KSU held a 23-21 edge in set one before JU scored four straight, including back-to-back aces to steal a 1-0 advantage. Set two saw the Owls trail for most of the opening half, before a 4-0 run gave the Owls the lead for good, while Olivia Burrage proved the set-winning kill. KSU then jumped out to a 6-1 lead in set three, making quick work of the Dolphins with a 10-point win. The Owls then used a 6-0 run to go up 18-14 in the fourth set, but couldn't close out the victory as JU came back and rallied for the 30-28 win, sending the match into a 2-2 tie. Again the Owls led for the majority of the set in set five, and were up 13-12 before the Dolphins scored three straight to close out the victory.
POST-GAME QUOTES
KSU HEAD COACH KEITH SCHUNZEL
"We played better than last night. Had some more edge and fight. We need to figure out how to play the 23-23 point with the same mentality, confidence and aggressiveness as we play the 3-3 point. We again put ourselves in a position to close the match, but we didn't. That's a pattern that isn't a physical issue, and we're all frustrated by it. We'll keep working and see if we can get this thing turned around."
NOTES
-The Owls dropped to 4-3 in five-set matches. In conference play, KSU has defeated Stetson 3-2, and suffered 3-2 losses to Eastern Kentucky, FGCU and Jacksonville.
-KSU's eight-game win streak over the Dolphins was snapped in the loss.
-Manu Johnsen paced the Owls with a double-double of 19 kills and 11 digs.
-Senior Claire Parsons posted a career-high 15 kills on a .538 hitting percentage (15K-1E-26TA).
-Emma Schurfranz and Maggie Butkovich both had 11 kills each.
-Shelby Dennis paced KSU with 24 digs, while freshman Kourtney Brown had a career-high 55 assists.
NEXT TIME OUT: KSU is back home for a three-game homestand, starting with a rare Tuesday night contest against Queens at 6:30 p.m. in the Convocation Center.
