By: Mark Wasik
Friday, August 25
12 p.m. – Kennesaw State (0-0, 0-0 ASUN) vs North Dakota (0-0, 0-0 Summit League)
Location: Bozeman, Mont. | Shroyer Gymnasium
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Friday, August 25
7 p.m. – Kennesaw State (0-0, 0-0 ASUN) vs Oregon State (0-0, 0-0 Summit League)
Location: Bozeman, Mont. | Shroyer Gymnasium
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Saturday, August 26
9 p.m. – Kennesaw State (0-0, 0-0 ASUN) at Montana State (0-0, 0-0 Big Sky)
Location: Bozeman, Mont. | Shroyer Gymnasium
Video Steam: ESPN+
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
KSU Game Notes
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State volleyball is set to begin the 2023 campaign this weekend with a trio of games in Montana in the Bobcat Blackridge Invite, starting with Friday's season-opener against North Dakota at 12 pm, while KSU's first Power 5 opponent of the season will be later that night against Oregon State. The Owls then close out the weekend against the host Montana State Bobcats in a game streamed live on ESPN+ on Saturday night.
After narrowly missing out on the NCAA Championships following a season in which it finished in the top 60 in the nation, the Owls are ready to make another run at the postseason as KSU brings back five starters from a year ago, highlighted by 2022 ASUN Freshman of the Year
Manu Johnsen. Head Coach
Keith Schunzel, starting his 11th season at the helm of the Owls, believes he has a squad that has all the pieces needed to challenge for a conference title.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sophomore outside hitter Johnsen came on strong at the end of last season on the way to earning Second Team All-ASUN honors, and she finished the season pacing the Owls in kills per set (3.09). Also earning All-ASUN honors in 2022 senior defensive specialist
Shelby Dennis (4.48 digs per set), and senior middle blocker
Claire Parsons (1.10 blocks per game), both of who ranked among the ASUN leaders in several categories. Senior setter
McKinley Ferguson had an outstanding junior campaign for the Owls, and finished the year averaging 10.39 assists per set and also led the Owls in service aces (0.37 per set) while adding 90 kills, seventh-best on the team from the setter spot.
SCOUTING THE FIGHTING HAWKS...
North Dakota comes into the season picked to finish fifth in the Summit League, which is its highest preseason prediction since the 2018 season, after finishing the 2022 campaign with a 9-9 league mark (12-18 overall). Among the top returnees for the Fighting Hawks are Maddy Hornyak, who was top-five in the Summit League in aces (0.28 per set), while Elizabeth Norris paced the team in kills (245), points (277.5) and assists (538). She was also second in the nation last season with six triple doubles.
SCOUTING THE BEAVERS...
Oregon State will begin the season under first-year heads coach Lindsey Behonick, and the Beavers brought in seven newcomers to try and turnaround their fortunes from the 2022 season. Pacing the team in 2022 was senior outside hitter Mychael Vernon with 353 kills, while junior Ryan White led the team with 361 digs.
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS...
Montana State was picked fourth in the Big Sky preseason poll after posting a 14-16 overall mark and a 9-7 record in league play in the 2022 season. The Bobcats do bring back 15 letterwinners, including five starters from a season ago, including senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen who paced the squad with 243 kills.
JOHNSEN EARNS PRESEASON ALL-ASUN NOD...
Manu Johnsen was one of seven players recognized by the ASUN as a preseason all-conference selection in the 12-team league. She ranked in the top ten in several categories in 2022 while earning Freshman of the Year honors and second-team all-conference recognition from the ASUN.
