By: Mark Wasik
Saturday, October 12
3 p.m. – ESPN+
Kennesaw State (6-11, 3-3 CUSA) vs Liberty (10-6, 4-0 CUSA)
Location: Convocation Center | Kennesaw, Ga.
Sunday, October 13
1 p.m. – ESPN+
Kennesaw State (6-11, 3-3 CUSA) vs Liberty (10-6, 4-0 CUSA)
Location: Convocation Center | Kennesaw, Ga.
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State Volleyball closes out a grueling 10-day, six-game stretch this weekend when it hosts former Atlantic Sun rival Liberty for a pair of games in the Convocation Center on Friday and Saturday. Saturday's game starts at 3 p.m, while Sunday will be a 1 p.m. start, and both will be streamed live on ESPN+.
The Owls come in on a two-game win streak after sweeping a pair of games at Jacksonville State in the middle of the week. The Flames meanwhile come in as a rested team as their games against FIU were postponed due to Hurricane Milton. The Owls will also recognize Mental Health Awareness Day at KSU on Saturday.
This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2022, which was also the only win for Liberty in the series. KSU had won the first 13 meetings between the two teams, and holds a 7-0 mark against the Flames in the Convo. The Owls are looking to move up in the league standings after posting a 3-3 mark through the first six games, while the Flames have yet to lose a CUSA match, but all four wins have come against teams currently winless in conference play.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Junior outside hitter
Manu Johnsen, a preseason All-Conference USA selection, has been the Owls' leader on offense as expected. She is posting a team-high 3.70 kills per set, and also has 21 aces and 137 digs on the season (1.37 dps). Her 267.5 points are also a team-high. Also having a strong start to the year is sophomore middle blocker
Olivia Burrage who is contributing 0.83 blocks per set and 1.62 kills per set while hitting a team-high .283. Front line players
Kiernan Stamey and
Caroline Chastang have also shined this year, averaging 1.82 and 1.77 kills per set, respectively.
SCOUTING THE FLAMES
Liberty brings a five-game win streak into the weekend, after starting out the season at 5-6. Four of the Flames losses have come against Power Four teams. The team is also coached by Nolan Albrecht, serving as acting head coach after Liberty's previous coach left in the spring season.
A pair of players are averaging over three kills per game, as Kamryn Bacus is posting 3.34 kills per set, while Kate Gammer is notching 3.28 kps. Madison Blane has been strong at the net this year, with 70 this season for a 1.15 blocks per set average.
