By: Mark Wasik
Friday, October 18
7 p.m. – ESPN+
Kennesaw State (8-11, 5-3 CUSA) vs Sam Houston (10-9, 5-3 CUSA)
Location: Convocation Center | Kennesaw, Ga.
Saturday, October 19
2 p.m. – ESPN+
Kennesaw State (8-11, 5-3 CUSA) vs Sam Houston (10-9, 5-3 CUSA)
Location: Convocation Center | Kennesaw, Ga.
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State Volleyball is riding a season-high four-match win streak, and looks to keep the momentum rolling when it welcomes Sam Houston to the Convocation Center for a pair of Conference USA matches this weekend. Friday night's game will start at 7 p.m., while Saturday's contest is set for 2 p.m., and both will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Both teams are currently tied for fourth in the league standings entering the midway portion of the CUSA schedule.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams. The Owls are coming into the week after claiming four wins in a six-day span thanks to two-game sweeps at Jax State and at home over Liberty. The Bearkats meanwhile recently split a home series with New Mexico State.
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 3.72 kills per set, and also has 24 aces and 165 digs on the season (2.29 dps). Her 309.0 points are also a team-high. Also having a strong start to the year is sophomore middle blocker
Olivia Burrage who is contributing 0.93 blocks per set and 1.72 kills per set while hitting a team-high .312. Front line players
Caroline Chastang and
Kiernan Stamey have also shined this year, averaging 1.84 and 1.80 kills per set, respectively.
SCOUTING THE BEARKATS
Sam Houston started out the season with a 4-6 mark, but starting with a 3-0 sweep over Texas Southern on Sept. 21, the Bearkats have won six of its past nine games. That includes a three-game sweep, and five total wins in league play. This week will mark the seventh and eighth road games of the season for the team, and they are 2-2 on the road in CUSA action.
It's a balanced attack on offense for the Bearkats, with four players all averaging over two kills per set, led by Alyssa Fielder's 2.62 kps. Avery Fowler is the main setter for the team, posting 8.97 assists per set, while McKenzie Morvant is adding 1.22 blocks per set.
