By: Mark Wasik
Friday, October 4
7 p.m. (ET) – Kennesaw State (4-9, 1-1 CUSA) at Western Kentucky (9-6, 2-0 CUSA)
Location: E.A. Diddle Arena | Bowling Green, Ky.
Saturday, October 5
2 p.m. (ET) – Kennesaw State (4-9, 1-1 CUSA) at Western Kentucky (9-6, 2-0 CUSA)
Location: E.A. Diddle Arena | Bowling Green, Ky.
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State Volleyball is ready for its toughest challenge of the season starting this Friday in Bowling Green, Ky., as not only will the Owls have to play on the road at preseason favorite and defending champion Western Kentucky in a two-game trip, this will also mark the start of six games in an 11-day stretch. Friday's game will tip off at 7 p.m. (ET), while Saturday's is set for a 2 p.m. start.
Four of the six will be on the road, as after KSU returns to Kennesaw, the Owls will take back to the road Tuesday morning for a Tuesday night game at Jax State, followed by an afternoon game the next day. KSU will then end the stretch by hosting Liberty on Oct. 12-13.
This weekend marks the second and third-ever meeting between KSU and Western Kentucky, after the Owls lost a 3-0 match in Bowling Green in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
The Owls had a successful debut in its first-ever Conference USA game as the Owls took down New Mexico State 3-2 on Sept. 27 in the Convocation Center. KSU would drop the second match the next day, but it still left the Owls in the middle of the standings after the first weekend after facing the Aggies who were picked to finish second in CUSA this season.
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 3.74 kills per set, and also has 17 aces and 109 digs on the season (2.22 dps). Her 212.5 points are also a team-high. Also having a strong start to the year is sophomore middle blocker
Olivia Burrage who is contributing 0.78 blocks per set and 1.63 kills per set while hitting a team-high .289. Front line players
Kiernan Stamey and
Caroline Chastang have also shined this year, averaging 1.94 and 1.85 kills per set, respectively.
SCOUTING THE HILLTOPPERS
Western Kentucky is 9-6 on the season, but four of the losses have come against Power Four squads. Recently, the Hilltoppers have reeled together a five-match win streak, all by 3-0 sweeps, starting with home wins over Arkansas State, Eastern Illinois and Austin Peay, and then followed by back-to-back road victories at Jax State in their CUSA opener.
Pacing the team this season is Kaylee Cox with a 3.56 kills per set average. Also averaging over two kills per set are Alivia Skidmore (2.46 kps), Kenadee Coyle (2.28 kps) and Izzy Van De Wiele (2.04 kps). Callie Bauer is one of the top assist leaders in the league at 10.33 aps, while Van De Wiele is averaging 1.46 blocks per set.
CONFERENCE OPENER WIN STREAK CONTINUES
Thanks to their 3-2 win over New Mexico State on Sept. 27, the Owls have now their conference season opener in 12 straight seasons. The last time KSU lost its season opener was a 3-1 loss to Belmont on Sept. 23, 2011. The first 11 games in the streak came while KSU was a member of the Atlantic Sun, while the 12th came in their inaugural Conference USA game.
