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EL PASO, Texas – Kennesaw State hoped for more postseason magic in its semifinal match against Western Kentucky, but the regular season champions were too tough on Saturday afternoon as the Owls fell 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-14) in the Conference USA Volleyball semifinals on Saturday afternoon from Memorial Gym on the UTEP campus. The Owls finish the regular season at 14-17, while WKU improved to 27-6 and moved onto the championship match.
STAT OF THE GAME: Western Kentucky hit .507 (42K-6E-71TA) in the game, the highest by a KSU opponent this year. The Owls meanwhile were limited to just .125 (29K-19E-80TA).
THE RUNDOWN – The Hilltoppers took an early 7-2 lead to start the match, and were up 17-11 in the first set. The Owls didn't make it easy though, going on a 4-1 spurt, with a kill from
Manu Johnsen closing KSU within 18-15. It was 21-17 in favor of the top seed when they scored the next four points, closing out the set on an ace for a 1-0 lead. Again WKU began the set with a quick start, going up 6-0 in set two. The Owls did post a 5-0 run, featuring back-to-back blocks, to make it a 7-6 contest. An 11-2 run put the set out of reach though, with the Toppers going up 2-0 in the match. The third set saw KSU fall behind 5-1, and the Owls could only close within three points before eventually dropping the set and the match.
POSTGAME QUOTES
KSU HEAD COACH KEITH SCHUNZEL
"Bummer of a finish to a wonderful and enjoyable season that we will all remember fondly and with pride. So many firsts this year for our program and so many accomplishments to be proud of.
This team stuck together, respected each other every day, grew tremendously from August till now, they loved each other, and fought together through the good and the bad.
On the court we will need to make some serious jumps next year skill wise, and with our consistency and confidence if we truly want to beat a team at WKU's level and compete for a conference championship. They stress you in every single level of the game and expose any and all weaknesses. And today our weaknesses really showed.
But tonight we're going to enjoy a meal together and be proud of what we accomplished this year."
NOTES
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Olivia Burrage was the most productive Owl on Saturday, finishing with seven kills while hitting .417.
-Johnsen paced KSU with a team-high eight kills.
Maggie Butkovich was next with six.
