By: Mark Wasik
Friday, November 15
8 p.m. (ET) – ESPN+
Kennesaw State (13-14, 10-6 CUSA) vs UTEP (22-4, 14-2 CUSA)
Location: Memorial Gym | El Paso, Texas
Saturday, November 16
2 p.m. (ET) – ESPN+
Kennesaw State (13-14, 10-6 CUSA) vs UTEP (22-4, 14-2 CUSA)
Location: Memorial Gym | El Paso, Texas
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KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State Volleyball comes into the final weekend of the regular season with a lot riding on the final two games, as the Owls will play a pair of games at UTEP on Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. in El Paso. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
The Owls find themselves in a tie for third place in the Conference USA standings, alongside New Mexico State. Both teams are just two games ahead of Sam Houston and Middle Tennessee who are tied for fifth at 8-8 in league action. The Owls have already clinched a spot in next week's CUSA postseason tournament as the top eight teams will advance to the three-day event in El Paso, Texas.
The Owls will get an early look at the tournament facility, as this weekend's trip is to El Paso to face the UTEP Miners, who had turned in an outstanding season so far with a 14-2 mark. The only two blemishes for UTEP were at first place Western Kentucky. The Miners meanwhile have already wrapped up the second seed for next week's tournament being held on their home court in Memorial Gym.
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 3.82 kills per set, and also has 37 aces and 254 digs on the season (2.49 dps). Her 449.5 points are also a team-high. Also having a strong start to the year is sophomore middle blocker
Olivia Burrage who is contributing 0.89 blocks per set and 2.18 kills per set while hitting a team-high .376. Front line players
Caroline Chastang and
Kiernan Stamey have also shined this year, averaging 1.96 and 1.86 kills per set, respectively.
SCOUTING THE MINERS
UTEP has turned in a stellar record this season, bringing a 22-4 mark into this weekend's contest against the Owls. After a season-opening loss at Utah, the Miners won 20 of its next 21 games, with the lone blemish in that stretch at 3-1 loss on the road at South Dakota. The other two losses for UTEP have come at the hands of Western Kentucky, currently undefeated in CUSA play.
Three Miners currently are posting over 2+ kills per set, starting with Ema Uskokovic at 3.01 kps. Torrance Lovesee is next with 2.59 kps, while Kaya Weaver is third at 2.49 kps. Alyssa Sianez is the top on the team in digs with 3.18 dps. The Miners run a 6-2 system, with Kaila Kohler (5.79 assists per set) and Mattie Gantt (5.19 apg) sharing the setter role.
