By: Mark Wasik
Friday, November 3
7 p.m. – Kennesaw State (14-9, 7-5 ASUN) at FGCU (20-5, 12-0 ASUN)
Location: Alico Arena | Fort Myers, Fla.
Saturday, November 4
6 p.m. – Kennesaw State (14-9, 7-5 ASUN) at Stetson (11-13, 6-6 ASUN)
Location: Edmunds Center | DeLand, Fla.
KSU GAME NOTES
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KENNESAW, Ga. – With just four games left in the regular season, Kennesaw State Volleyball is currently tied for fourth in the Atlantic Sun with Bellarmine, just one win behind third-place Eastern Kentucky. The Owls will look to make their run up the standings this weekend but will face a tough challenge with a pair of road contests, on Friday at 7 p.m. at current first-place FGCU, followed by a Saturday, 6 p.m. match at Stetson.
Both games this weekend will be streamed live on ESPN+.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sophomore outside hitter Manu Johnsen, 2022 Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year and a preseason All-ASUN selection this season, currently leads the league and is top 50 in the nation in both kills (3.93 kps) and points (4.48 pps). Senior defensive specialist Shelby Dennis is currently fifth in the ASUN with 4.14 digs per set, while a pair of Owls rank in the top 10 in blocks, as freshman Olivia Burrage is third (1.02 bps) and senior Claire Parsons is sixth (0.93 bps). Also shining in 2023 is super senior Emma Schurfranz, who is fifth in kills (3.22 kps), and third in points (4.00 ppg).
SCOUTING THE EAGLES...
FGCU came into the year as preseason ASUN favorites and the Eagles currently sit atop the ASUN ranking. They have yet to record a loss against a conference opponent, posting a record of 12-0. Six of their 12 games though have gone the full five sets. Alexandra Zakutney leads the team on offense with 2.97 kills per set. Setter Lily Tessier is another standout player as her 8.97 assists per set ranks as the fifth best in the ASUN. Defensively. Julia Lentz leads the team and the ASUN in blocks per set with 1.32.
SCOUTING THE HATTERS...
For Stetson this season, each of their home games have been a battle. Despite having five sweeps on the seasons, during their home games, the Hatters have either gone to four sets or five sets in each time. This includes a five-set loss to FGCU. On offensive, the standout player of the Hatters has been Annabelle Standish, who currently averages 3.44 kills per set, the third best average in the ASUN. She also ranks fourth in points per set with 3.96. Sophia Groom has been another star, as she is second in blocks per set with 1.20 and ninth in hitting percentage with .310.
