By: Mark Wasik
Friday, November 1
7 p.m. – ESPN+
Kennesaw State (10-13, 7-5 CUSA) at Louisiana Tech (6-19, 0-12 CUSA)
Location: Thomas Assembly Center | Ruston, La.
Saturday, November 2
3 p.m. – ESPN+
Kennesaw State (10-13, 7-5 CUSA) at Louisiana Tech (6-19, 0-12 CUSA)
Location: Thomas Assembly Center | Ruston, La.
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KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State Volleyball is in good position to challenge for a top half spot in the final regular season standings as the Owls are set for a pair of road games this weekend in Ruson, La., against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. The first game is set for Friday at 7 p.m. (ET) while Saturday's game will be a 3 p.m. (ET) start, and both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
The Owls enter the final weeks of the season tied for fifth with just six games left to go. What's been very impressive about that feat is that the Owls are surpassing their predicted finish of seventh in the preseason polls, despite dealing with an unprecedented run of injuries that has included two ACLs, one MCL, a kneecap dislocation and a broken finger that has as affected five different Owls, with several of those injuries being season-ending.
At 7-5 in league play, KSU just needs one win to clinch a spot in the CUSA Tournament, but probably needs to go at least 3-3 over the final six to ensure a top-five finish. Up first in that challenge will be a pair of road games at Louisiana Tech. Following that will be a pair of home contests against Middle Tennessee, who are currently tied with the Owls in the standings. KSU, on the road for the second straight week, is looking for its second road sweep of the season to put the pressure on the Blue Raiders in the hunt for the top half.
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 3.63 kills per set, and also has 30 aces and 220 digs on the season (2.50 dps). Her 368.5 points are also a team-high. Also having a strong start to the year is sophomore middle blocker
Olivia Burrage who is contributing 0.91 blocks per set and 2.00 kills per set while hitting a team-high .347. Front line players
Caroline Chastang and
Kiernan Stamey have also shined this year, averaging 1.91 and 1.84 kills per set, respectively.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Louisiana Tech has struggled this season, having dropped its past 12 matches, all in CUSA action. The Bulldogs' last win was a 3-0 victory at New Orleans on Sept. 21. Since then, they have lost in straight sets or four sets in 12 consecutive contests, including this past weekend with a pair of 3-1 setbacks at Middle Tennessee. Pacing the team is Giulia Bonifacio with a 2.19 kills per set average. Jailen Hurley is next on the squad with 2.02 kills per set. The Bulldogs have used a trio of setters this season, while a pair of players, Riley Steubing and McKenzie Johnson, led the team in digs with 4.11 and 4.07 dps, respectively.
