KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State volleyball finished off a perfect home weekend Saturday afternoon, sweeping Alabama A&M 3-0 at VyStar Arena to improve to 5-1 on the season.
OWL OF THE GAME: Freshman
Ashley Theiss posted an all-around performance with 12 kills, three aces and nine digs, finishing with a team-high 15 points.
STAT OF THE GAME: KSU hit .317 for the match, its second straight contest hitting over .300, while finishing with 49 kills.
THE RUNDOWN
The Owls jumped out to a 9-1 advantage in the opening set before holding off a late Alabama A&M push for the win.
KSU took control of the second behind a .458 hitting percentage, using a 7-0 run to turn a 5-5 tie into a comfortable lead on the way to a 25-16 victory.
Alabama A&M grabbed a 12-5 lead in the third, but the Owls battled back to tie the set at 15. KSU took its first lead at 16-15 and finished off the sweep, 25-22.
POSTGAME QUOTES - HEAD COACH KEITH SCHUNZEL
"I think we're learning how to play through some pressure. We're a young team, a growing and evolving team, I thought we did a nice job of staying the course today. And we were nice and calm at the end of the match when it got close and that was good to see.
Ashley Theiss is playing with a great volleyball IQ that usually upperclassman playes show. She's playing with confidence and really just doing a good job and playing one on of the leaders on the court."
NOTES
- Olivia Burrage finished with 11 kills on 15 attacks for a .600 hitting percentage while adding three blocks.
- Haley Patterson led the Owls with 13 kills.
- Freshman Alexis Sowers recorded a match-high 22 digs.
- Theiss' three aces were a match high as KSU finished with seven as a team.
- KSU has won five of its first six matches.
NEXT TIME OUT
The Owls travel to Mobile, Ala., for the South Alabama Invitational, opening against host South Alabama on Friday, Sept. 11. KSU will then face Tulane on Saturday, Sept. 12 before closing the tournament against in-state rival Georgia on Sunday, Sept. 13.
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
