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MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Kennesaw State volleyball couldn't match the energy of Middle Tennessee in the CUSA opener for both teams on Friday night, as the Owls were handed just their second 3-0 loss (25-23, 25-18, 25-17) of the season at Alumni Memorial Gym. The loss dropped KSU to 6-5 overall while the Blue Raiders improved to 8-4.
STAT OF THE GAME: Errors were the downfall for KSU on Friday, with 18 attack errors leading to a .120 overall hitting percentage (31K-18E-108TA). The Owls also had 10 service errors to six aces, while MT recorded nine aces to seven service errors.
THE RUNDOWN – The game started out in the Owls' hands, as they scored three of the first four points and were up 14-11 midway through the opening set. After a MT run to tie the set, the Owls grabbed back the lead three times, while the score was tied four times, the last at 19-19. A 4-2 run by the home team put them ahead 24-21 and they held off a KSU run to close out the set 25-23. Set two was tied at 9-9, until a 9-1 run resulted in an 18-10 lead. KSU came as close as four points, 22-18, before three straight from the Blue Raiders gave them the set and a 2-0 lead. The third set saw KSU score four straight at the start, and the Owls led 11-8 until the Blue Raiders climbed back into the set. It was a narrow 14-13 lead for KSU until MT took control thanks to a 11-1 run.
POSTGAME QUOTES
KSU HEAD COACH KEITH SCHUNZEL
"That's a good ole fashion but kicking right there. The team in blue tonight fought their brains out, served it tough, dug it, attacked it aggressively and kept their errors down and kept shoveling it over the net and making us play until we made an error. And error we did.
Meanwhile our team somehow managed to look lackadaisical and completely passive in the conference opener, on the road. Our first two contacts were anywhere from bad to atrocious and we couldn't string more than 1 or 2 good points together in a row the entire night.
I hope that's an early lesson for all of us in how hard we need to play in other people's gyms if we want any chance to win on the road in this league. And not only play hard, but to be able to execute any semblance of consistent volleyball for more than a play or two at a time.
NOTES
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Manu Johnsen paced KSU with a double-double of 11 kills and 11 digs.
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Kaeley Walz and
Kourtney Brown each posted 13 assists for KSU.
NEXT TIME OUT: The Owls will face Middle Tennessee for a second straight game on Saturday with a 2 p.m. start. The game will be streamed live 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. Join The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
