By: Mark Wasik
Friday, November 8
7 p.m. – ESPN+
Kennesaw State (12-13, 9-5 CUSA) vs Middle Tennessee (11-15, 7-7 CUSA)
Location: Convocation Center | Kennesaw, Ga.
Saturday, November 9
2 p.m. – ESPN+
Kennesaw State (12-13, 9-5 CUSA) vs Middle Tennessee (11-15, 7-7 CUSA)
Location: Convocation Center | Kennesaw, Ga.
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KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State volleyball closes out its 2024 home schedule this weekend with a pair of games against Middle Tennessee, starting on Friday night at 7 p.m., which will be followed by a Saturday contest at 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center.
KSU has made a huge move in the conference standings over the past few weeks, as the Owls have gone 8-2 over the past 10 games to take over sole possession of third place in Conference USA, after being predicted to finish seventh in the preseason poll. With just two weekends left to play, every match is important for KSU to hold onto a top-four seed. This weekend's opponent meanwhile is coming in just as determined to get a victory, as Middle Tennessee is tied for sixth place and just two games behind the Owls.
Following the weekend, the Owls will make back-to-back trips to El Paso, as KSU will close out the regular season with a pair of games at UTEP. KSU will then return the following week for the 2024 CUSA Tournament as the Owls have clinched a spot in this year's eight-team field.
Saturday's game for the Owls will also be Senior Day for
Caroline Cole, who was sidelined earlier in the season due to a knee injury at Clemson. She finished her career at KSU ranked third all-time in career digs with 529. Friday's game meanwhile is an Owls Fund Appreciation Night, which is open to all Kennesaw State Owls Fund members of any donation level, featuring complimentary food and beverage items with an exclusive premium area to watch the action on the court.
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 32 aces and 240 digs on the season (2.55 dps). Her 404.0 points are also a team-high. Also having a strong start to the year is sophomore middle blocker
Olivia Burrage who is contributing 0.92 blocks per set and 2.12 kills per set while hitting a team-high .360. Front line players
Caroline Chastang and
Kiernan Stamey have also shined this year, averaging 1.98 and 1.86 kills per set, respectively.
SCOUTING THE BLUE RAIDERS
Middle Tennessee is 7-7 in league action this year but has struggled on the road against conference competition, having lost seven of eight games. The lone win came in a 3-0 sweep at Liberty on Oct. 19, though the Blue Raiders fell 3-1 the next day. MTSU has won one set against both Western Kentucky and UTEP this year, the teams currently at the top of the league standings.
Adriana Rhoda is one of the top offensive players in the league with a 3.87 kills per set average. Two more players are at 2.0 or higher, in Kiera Booth (2.71 kps) and Aowyn Schrader (2.00 kps). Andi Spies is the main setter with 9.35 assists per game, while Laure Jansen is averaging 4.38 digs per set.
