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KENNESAW, Ga. – Going to a fifth set for the first time this season, two blown leads in the second and fifth sets came back to haunt Kennesaw State volleyball as the Owls fell to Appalachian State 3-2 (20-25, 25-23, 25-18, 23-25, 15-11) on Saturday afternoon in the final game of the KSU Invitational from VyStar Arena.
STAT OF THE GAME: Errors were an issue for the Owls in the contest, as they had 14 service errors in the contest to just five aces. App State meanwhile had 15 service errors but also recorded nine aces in the win. KSU also finished with 32 total errors and a .154 hitting percentage, while the Mountaineers posted a .180 with 24 errors over the five sets.
THE RUNDOWN – The Owls came out strong at the start, hitting .258 in the opening set while
Manu Johnsen contributed six kills in leading KSU to the 1-0 set advantage. Set two looked as if it was going KSU's way as well, going up 20-14 late in the set. A service error followed by an ace from App State started a 4-0 run to cut the edge to two. KSU still led 23-20, but gave up the next five points of the set to fall 25-23, tying the set at 1-1. Set three was controlled by the Mountaineers as KSU hit a -0.231 and fell 25-18. The Owls didn't go away though, and after trailing late 18-16 they scored four of the next six to go up 22-22. Kills from Stamey and Johnsen gave KSU the set and a 2-2 tie. The momentum carried over into set five, with KSU quickly jumping out to a 7-2 lead. App State took over, scoring seven straight for a 9-7 lead. Overall it would be a 12-1 run for the visitors, giving them a 14-8 lead in the deciding set.
POSTGAME QUOTES
KSU HEAD COACH KEITH SCHUNZEL
"Super disappointed in our intensity and focus in set two and five today. We were in complete control of that match up 1-0 and big late in set 2 and then we got sloppy, lost focus and let them get back in the match. Our team is too good to allow other teams who we are better than to beat us when we have given ourselves every opportunity to win the game. That exact scenario has happened the last two nights. Tomorrow is another chance."
NOTES
-Johnsen paced KSU in kills with 16 while adding eight digs.
Olivia Burrage was also in double-figures for kills with 13.
-Stamey just missed a double-double with nine kills and 10 digs.
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Kaeley Walz led the team in assists with 27, while
Leah Freeman posted 13 total digs to lead the Owls.
NEXT TIME OUT: The Owls close out the weekend by hosting the Troy Trojans on Sunday at 1 p.m. in VyStar Arena. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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.
