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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State made sure its home volleyball opener was a exciting one for its fans, as the Owls came out on top with a thrilling 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 25-12, 12-25, 15-9) victory over previously undefeated Wake Forest on Friday night on the first day of the Kennesaw State Invitational at the Convocation Center. KSU (5-2) claimed its 10th win all-time over a Power Five school, and its second of the season with the win over the Demon Deacons, who dropped to 6-1 for the season.
STAT OF THE GAME: The Owls hit above .400 in two of the five sets, including the decisive fifth set where they did not commit a single error (.471 - 8K-0E-17TA). Wake Forest meanwhile had six errors in the fifth set, and hit just .095 (8K-6E-21TA).
OWL OF THE GAME: Lanie Vantrease set a new career-high with a game-high 16 kills. She also added two digs and a pair of blocks in the victory.
THE RUNDOWN – KSU led almost the entire first set, and went up 22-19 on an ace from Manu Johnsen. Wake rallied though by scoring six of the final seven points, including a 4-0 run to end the set and steal a 25-23 set one victory. The Owls didn't let the lost lead set them back, as they came out roaring to start set two, going on an early 7-0 run for a 10-5 edge. The Demon Deacons came back to grab a 17-16 edge, and the set was tied seven more times until KSU scored the final two points for a 25-23 win, tying the match. Set three was all Owls, as the 12 points scored by Wake was tied for the fewest scored by a KSU opponent this season. The Deacons returned the favor in the fourth set, holding the Owls to just 12 points. Going to a fifth set for the first time this season, KSU held a slight 8-7 edge when it scored seven of the final nine points to claim the win. A kill from Claire Parsons would account for the winning point, giving the Owls the victory.
POST-GAME QUOTES
KSU HEAD COACH KEITH SCHUNZEL
"That's a really nice performance from our bunch. Wake is a talented, physical, well coached team with some big wins already under their belt. That's as complete of a game as we have played so far this year. Props to Lou (McKinley Ferguson) for setting a wonderful game and leading our team down the stretch. I thought our smalls (Shelby Dennis, Leah Freeman and Caroline Cole) did an awesome job passing and digging all night and I thought our upperclassman all competed and led with maturity and composure."
NOTES
-The win marked the first time since 2019 the Owls have knocked off two Power Five schools in the season season, as KSU took down Oregon State 3-1 on August 25.
-KSU claimed a victory against a school from the ACC for the first time since 2019 when it defeated Georgia Tech. This was also a rematch of last year's 3-1 loss at Wake Forest, tying the all-time series at 1-1.
-Joining Vantrease in double-figures for kills was Emma Schurfranz with 16 and Johnsen with 14, while she also added 10 digs for a double-double.
-Ferguson posted a season-high 50 assists to pace the team, while Johnsen had a team-high three aces.
-Dennis led the Owls with 13 digs, and Parsons had a team-leading four blocks on Friday night.
-KSU hit .264 (59K-22E-140TA) for the game.
NEXT TIME OUT: The Owls continue play in the Kennesaw State Invitational on Saturday at 6 p.m. against Mississippi State, before closing out play in the three-day event against Western Michigan on Sunday at 12 p.m.
