RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University will begin the 2023 volleyball season Friday at the StarkVegas Classic hosted by Mississippi State.
The Colonels will begin play in the event against Northwestern State at 11 a.m. ET on Friday. EKU will face the host Bulldogs at 8 p.m. ET Friday, a match that will air live on the SEC Network+. The opening weekend concludes for the Colonels against Louisiana at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday.
THE COLONELS
- Assistant coach
Kendall Murr was a member of the volleyball team at Mississippi State for three seasons, 2018-20. She led the team in digs (413) in 2018.
- EKU is coming off a 15-15 season in 2022, the most wins for the program since 2017. Head coach
Johnna Bazzani, beginning her fifth season leading the program, has led the team to a 13-win improvement over the past two seasons. The Colonels have gone from two victories in the spring of 2021 to 15 in 2022.
- Five starters return from last year's team –
Sarah Mitchell,
Katie McKune,
Carson Ledford,
Chloe Mason and
Josie Schmitendorf.
- Mitchell was second on the team with 313 kills and third with 367 digs. Ledford led the team with 101 blocks. Schmitendorf was the team leader in digs with 440.
- Mason split setting duties with
Miya Carmichael in 2022. Mason led the team with 655 assists while Carmichael added 409.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
- Northwestern State posted a 19-13 record last season and went 10-8 in the Southland Conference. Breanna Burrell returns after leading the Lady Demons with 338 kills a year ago.
- Mississippi State was 15-13 overall and 8-10 in the Southeastern Conference in 2022. MSU lost its leaders in kills (Gabby Waden), blocks (Deja Robinson), assists (Gabby Coulter) and digs (Lilly Gunter).
- The Ragin' Cajuns finished 15-13 overall with an 8-8 mark in the Sun Belt Conference last season. Louisiana lost its leader in kills and digs (Coco Gillett) but returns its top blocker Cami Hicks.
INSIDE THE SERIES
- EKU and Northwestern State will be meeting for only the second time. The Colonels won 3-2 in 2003 at the Arkansas State Tournament.
- Mississippi State has a 3-2 advantage over EKU. The five matches were played between 1982 and 2015. MSU took the most recent meeting, 3-0, at Notre Dame.
- The Colonels will be facing Louisiana for the first time.
