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KENNESAW, Ga. – The win streak is now at four for Kennesaw State Volleyball as the Owls swept their season series with Liberty thanks to a 3-1 (25-14, 28-26, 23-25, 29-27) victory on Sunday afternoon in the Convocation Center. The victory moves KSU into a tie for fourth place in the Conference USA standings at 5-3, and moved its all-time home record against the Flames to 9-0.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Sophomore middle blocker
Olivia Burrage made her presence known at the net on Sunday, as she recorded a career-high 15 kills in the victory. Burrage finished with a .684 (15K-2E-19TA) hitting percentage, and also added five blocks in the win.
STAT OF THE GAME: The Owls held a 65.6% sideout percentage, and also hit .250 for the game while holding Liberty to under .200 (.197).
THE RUNDOWN – KSU rolled to start the opening set, using a 9-2 spurt to go up 15-6 and the Owls cruised from there for the 11-point victory. Set 2 was a different story, with a total of 17 ties and nine lead changes. Three times Liberty held set point, at 24-22, 24-23 and 26-25, but the Owls came up with a kill on all three to stay alive. Back-to-back kills from
Caroline Chastang put KSU up 27-26, and an attack error gave the Owls the win.
Set 3 was more of the same, with neither team able to get a comfortable lead. The Owls held a 21-19 lead, just four points away from taking the match, when the Flames scored five of the next six for a 24-22 advantage. A Burrage kill kept KSU alive, but a service error would end the set and make the score 2-1. Set 4 again was back and forth the whole way. KSU would grab match points at 24-21 on a kill from
Kiernan Stamey, but the Flames scored three straight to force extra play, and after a KSU block, used a 2-0 run for set point at 26-25. The teams then traded the next four points. Liberty would go up 27-26 on another service error, but this time the Owls responded with kills from
Kaeley Walz and Burrage, while the two then paired for a block on the last play to give KSU the win.
POSTGAME QUOTES
KSU HEAD COACH KEITH SCHUNZEL
"So proud of our team. Grit, resiliency and a lot of consistent play today against a physical and talented Liberty team. Huge growth weekend for us. Time to rest now, but this team is clearly moving in a good. Really proud of them for staying the course."
NOTES
-The Owls are now 15-1 all-time in the series between the two schools.
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Manu Johnsen and Chastang both posted double-doubles in the win, as Johnsen posted 16 kills and 16 digs, while Chastang finished with 13 kills, 10 digs.
-KSU's setters had strong games, with Walz notching 23 assists and
Kourtney Brown adding 22.
-The Owls held the advantage on both team blocks (11-9) and aces (8-5) against the Flames.
NEXT TIME OUT: The Owls will play another two at home when they host Sam Houston State on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.
