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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State Volleyball rebounded from a slow start to reverse sweep FIU, rallying for a 3-2 victory (23-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-22, 15-9) on Saturday afternoon from VyStar Arena. With its third straight win, the Owls moved into sole possession of fourth place in Conference USA at 3-1 (9-5 overall), while FIU dropped to 2-2, 8-8 in league play.
STAT OF THE GAME: The Owls hit over .300 in the final three sets, including a game-high .469 in set three.
OWL OF THE GAME: Junior middle blocker
Olivia Burrage finished with a .464 hitting percentage after recording 16 kills against just three errors, while also adding a team-high four total blocks.
THE RUNDOWN – The opener set could have gone either way, as it was back and forth while both teams made runs at each other. KSU opened up a 15-8 edge, before a 10-2 run from FIU put the Panthers ahead 18-17. The lead changed hands twice more, and it was tied at 23-23 before FIU scored twice to take the set. FIU led set two the entire way, going up 7-2 early. The Owls did tie the score twice, but again back-to-back points from the Panthers closed out the set and put them ahead 2-0. Set three was all KSU at the start, with a 12-1 run putting the Owls ahead 16-4. FIU would close the lead down to just four points, but
Manu Johnsen sealed the set with a kill to make it 2-1 game. The fourth set was in the Panthers' favor for the majority of the time, until a 5-1 run put the Owls ahead 19-17. KSU would close out the set for the five-point win, sending it to the deciding fifth. The score was tied three times in the final set, the last at 6-6. A 3-0 run from the home team put the Owls ahead 9-6, and they never trailed again. After FIU closed within 10-9, KSU stepped up to score the final six points, with back-to-back points from Johnsen off a solo block and a kill to complete the comeback.
POSTGAME QUOTES
KSU HEAD COACH KEITH SCHUNZEL
"Almost certainly our most mature win of the year. FIU, who's an excellent team, outplayed us in 1 and 2, but not because we were playing poorly. I just thought they were a bit better. We kept encouraging our team to stay the course, keep grinding, and it would turn. Our serve cranked up a bit, their pass got a little sloppy, putting their setter on the move, which made it easier for us to defend, and that's when the match turned. It was awesome to see (Haley) Patterson and (Kiernan) Stamey grow throughout that match and this season and keep competing. Both had some huge swings and big blocks in the back half of that match. Both have ridiculous potential, that will only happen one day and one match at a time. Today was a great step for them. And I can't say enough about the level that Liv and Manu are playing at. It's really elite stuff. Awesome to see them work and develop into complete and consistent players."
NOTES
-Johnsen led the Owls with 21 kills, a season-high for her, and recorded her fourth straight double-double with 13 digs.
-Patterson was the third Owl in double-figures for kills with 12, while Stamey added nine.
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Leah Freeman finished with a team-high 14 digs, and Kaley Walz paced the Owls in assists with 31.
-This was the first reverse sweep for the Owls since Oct. 9, 2024 at Jacksonville State.
NEXT TIME OUT: The Owls will go on the road to face the Liberty Flames in Lynchburg, Va., on Friday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 11.
The Owls Fund
The Owls Fund is the primary fundraising arm of Kennesaw State Athletics with the goal of supporting our student-athletes, coaches and each of our 18 NCAA Division I programs. Through initiatives such as Legacy Lockers, the Dot Martin Scholarship Golf Classic, sport-specific giving opportunities, general donations and season tickets, The Owls Fund connects fans with KSU's programs and student-athletes. Members receive exclusive benefits such as hospitality seating areas and events at Kennesaw State home games, and more. Join The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
