By: Mark Wasik
Friday, September 27
7 p.m. – Kennesaw State (3-8, 0-0 CUSA) vs New Mexico State (6-6, 0-0 CUSA)
Location: Convocation Center | Kennesaw, Ga.
Saturday, September 28
2 p.m. – Kennesaw State (3-8, 0-0 CUSA) vs New Mexico State (6-6, 0-0 CUSA)
Location: Convocation Center | Kennesaw, Ga.
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State will make history on Friday when it plays its first-ever Conference USA league contest as the Owls will host New Mexico State in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. KSU had played its previous 18 seasons in the Atlantic Sun Conference, when it joined as a first-year program in the 2006 season. A long-time power in the ASUN, the Owls are looking to make noise in their new surroundings when the open up play this season. The Owls will play NMSU on both Friday and Saturday, as the CUSA schedule has each team playing its opponent on back-to-back days. This will also be Alumni Weekend at KSU, as several of the past Owl teams have been invited back to campus to attend the two games.
It's been a challenging schedule for the Owls this season with a pair of Power Four teams in Indiana and Clemson on the slate, along with seven of the first 11 games taking place away from Kennesaw. KSU nearly pulled off a big road win a week ago when it was up 2-0 and 23-20 in the third set at Clemson in the first game in their newly renovated Jervey Gym, but the Tigers took advantage of a key injury to the Owls to rally for the 3-2 win.
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 3.56 kills per set, and also has 10 aces and 92 digs on the season (2.24 dps). Her 164.5 points are also a team-high. Also having a strong start to the year is sophomore middle blocker
Olivia Burrage who is contributing 0.76 blocks per set and 1.74 kills per set while hitting a team-high .305. Freshmen front line players
Kiernan Stamey and
Caroline Chastang have also shined this year, averaging 2.12 and 1.67 kills per set, respectively.
SCOUTING THE AGGIES
New Mexico State comes into its CUSA opener on a two-match win streak with victories over Southern and Incarnate Word. The Aggies are 6-6 this season, with a pair of losses to Power Four teams in No. 14 Georgia Tech (3-1) and Arizona.
Pacing the team this season is Starr Williams with a 3.35 kills per set average. Also posting high marks this season is Darian Markham who is 71st in the nation in digs with 4.33 per set, while Yasso Amin is posting 2.80 kills per set and 1.87 digs per set.
