By: Mark Wasik
Kennesaw State (2-1, 0-0 CUSA) vs South Carolina State (1-2, 0-0 MEAC)
Saturday, September 6
2 p.m. – ESPN+
Sunday, September 7
1 p.m.
Location: VyStar Arena | Kennesaw, Ga.
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KENNESAW, Ga. -
Kennesaw State Volleyball is set for its home opener this weekend against South Carolina State after a successful first week to the season.
- Kennesaw State looks to keep the momentum rolling as it begins a five-game homestand starting against SCSU with games on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. in VyStar Arena. Following that will be the Kennesaw State Invitational on Sept. 11-14, which is highlighted by this year's Griffin's Game, which will be on Sept. 11 when the Owls take on Michigan State.
- The Owls made a good showing in the first five days of the season, opening up with a 3-0 road win at Wichita State in the Shocker Volleyball Classic. In its most recent outing, KSU made short work of Mercer in a 3-1 contest. Both road wins avenged home losses from a year ago.
- A year ago, the story about the Owls was the youth movement as they were routinely playing five freshmen each game, easily the most under Head Coach Keith Schunzel's first 12 years in Kennesaw. Now, its about an experienced KSU squad that is picked in the top four in Conference USA with sights on challenging for the league title, as the Owls return the most players from their 2024 squad and the most productivity of any team in the nation.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Senior outside hitter
Manu Johnsen, a preseason All-Conference USA selection for the second straight year, is one of the top offensive threats in the nation and returns for her final season with the Black and Gold within reach of several career records at KSU including career kills and points. Junior middle blocker
Olivia Burrage had a breakout year and is looking to continue her dominance at the net this season, while the Owls are excited to have the services of redshirt sophomore right side hitter
Haley Patterson back after she missed last season with a knee injury.
