RICHMOND, Ky. – After closing out non-conference play on a 9-match winning streak, Eastern Kentucky University will begin Atlantic Sun Conference action at home this week against Bellarmine and Kennesaw State.
The Colonels will face Bellarmine on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Baptist Health Arena. Kennesaw State comes to town on Saturday for a 1 p.m. match. The match against the Knights will air live on ESPN+.
At Wednesday's match against Bellarmine, there will be an EKU Volleyball t-shirt giveaway sponsored by Zaxby's, and postgame bingo for EKU students. The annual Lace Up For Pediatric Cancer Match will take place on Saturday.
THE COLONELS
- With two more wins at the Winthrop Invitational this past weekend, the Colonels improved to 10-2 this season. EKU shutout Winthrop 3-0 before earning a 3-1 win over Virginia Commonwealth.
- The Colonels lead the ASUN in hitting percentage (.245), kills (14.72/set), assists (13.77/set) and aces allowed (0.62/set). The team has served up 68 aces while allowing only 24 this year.
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Josie Schmitendorf was chosen as the ASUN Defensive Player of the Week for the second straight week. She averaged 5.43 digs and 2.14 assists per set in two matches last week. The senior led all players with 25 digs against VCU.
- Schmitendorf leads the conference in digs (5.03/set).
Chloe Mason is first in aces (0.54/set).
Carson Ledford is second in hitting percentage (.391) and second in blocks (1.15/set).
- Ledford and
AG Vandagriff earned spots on the Winthrop Invitational All-Tournament Team. Ledford averaged 2.57 kills and 1.71 blocks while hitting .405 in two matches. Vandagriff hit .348 and averaged 3.00 kills per set.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
- Bellarmine is 2-10 this season and has lost seven straight matches. BU's wins have come against New Orleans (3-0) and Southern Indiana (3-0). EKU and the Knights have one common opponent. Murray State beat Bellarmine 3-1 but lost to the Colonels 3-0.
- Natalie Bland leads the team with 2.90 kills per set and is third with 11 aces. Anna Lococo is averaging a team-best 4.10 digs per set. As a team, the Knights have allowed the highest opponent hitting percentage (.256) in the ASUN.
- Kennesaw State is 7-4. The Owls have wins over Oregon State (3-1), Wake Forest (3-2) and Mississippi State (3-2). KSU split two matches at the Xavier Tournament this past weekend, edging Northern Kentucky 3-2 before falling to Xavier 3-0.
- Manu Johnsen averages a team-high 3.50 kills per set. Emma Schurfranz is close behind at 3.40 kills per set. The duo rank second and fourth in the ASUN respectively. Johnsen also has a team-best 14 aces. The Owls are second in the league in hitting percentage (.245), kills (13.00/set) and assists (12.05/set). Kennesaw State has allowed the fewest blocks in the conference (1.45/set).
INSIDE THE SERIES
- The Colonels are 7-3 all-time against Bellarmine. The Knights won both matches last season.
- Kennesaw State has a 4-1 edge in the series with the Colonels. KSU won last year's lone meeting by a 3-0 score.
