By: Mark Wasik
KENNESAW, Ga. – Games against three NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago along with contests at Power Four squads Arkansas and a home match against Michigan State highlight Kennesaw State's 2025 volleyball slate, as the Owls announced their 26-game slate on Monday.
"I'm super excited for this season, the roster we have in place, and this schedule," said KSU head coach
Keith Schunzel. "We had a great spring training block, an incredible overseas trip, we returned 15 players from a semifinal team in 2024, and we'll add two talented freshmen to the mix this summer. With how much experience and talent we have returning we didn't schedule with guaranteed wins in mind, rather we scheduled to challenge ourselves and give ourselves opportunities to play against high level teams. If some things go our way in non-conference play, hopefully we can earn a few wins with this tough schedule and carry a solid RPI heading into league play."
KSU starts the season on the road with a weekend tournament at Wichita State. The Owls will open against the host Shockers on Aug. 29, followed by a neutral site contest against Arkansas on Aug. 30. That will be followed by a mid-week game at in-state rival Mercer on Sept. 2.
The Owls will then come home to Kennesaw for a five-game homestand, starting with a pair of games against South Carolina State on Sept. 6 and 7 in the Convocation Center. The next week will see the Owls host the annual Kennesaw State Invitational. KSU opens the event against Michigan State on Sept. 11 and will also face Appalachian State (Sept. 13) and Troy (Sept. 14). The non-conference slate will then conclude the next weekend with a pair of games at Tennessee, with a neutral site contest against Alabama A&M on Sept. 18 followed by a contest against the Vols on Sept. 19.
Four of the Owls' first six Conference USA games will be on the road, starting with two contests at Middle Tennessee on Sept. 26-27, while the Owls' first home conference games will be on Oct. 3-4 against FIU. After a trip to Liberty (Oct. 10-11), KSU will then play a four-game homestand, with two games against rival Jacksonville State (Oct. 17-18) before closing out against new league member Delaware (Oct. 24-25).
After a pair of games at Sam Houston (Oct. 31-Nov. 1), KSU will host UTEP for Senior Weekend on Nov. 7-8. The Owls will close out the regular season with a pair of games at New Mexico State on Nov. 14-15. This year's CUSA Tournament will be hosted by FIU in Miami on Nov. 21-23.
"In CUSA, until someone can knock off the champs, it's Western Kentucky's league," said Schunzel. "They haven't lost a regular season league game in five seasons, so very clearly they're the team to beat. But UTEP is rolling right now and they're hungry. NMSU has found a way for years to compete at the top, Delaware is coming in to the league as a championship level program from their former conference so they'll be very capable and confident, and then a bunch of other schools will have the talent and coaching to knock anyone off and make wins a hard thing to come by. We're looking forward to a fun, challenging 2025!"
KSU brings back all seven starters from last year's team that finished 14-17, including 10-8 in conference play to finish fourth. The Owls also reached the semifinals of the CUSA Tournament, marking the 10
th straight year KSU had reached the semifinal of a conference tournament.
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. Joining The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
