KSU’s women’s volleyball team started with a winning homestand to open conference play this weekend as it defeated the Stetson Hatters to claim a 2-1 record in Atlantic Sun Conference play.
The Owls (12-5, 2-1 A-Sun) followed a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Florida Gulf Coast on Friday by flipping the score and shutting out Stetson, 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-15).
Stetson made its hardest move at the Owls midway through the second set, as it went on an 8-1 run to cut an Owls lead to 13-12.
The Owls pulled away in the first set by the talents of Emily Bean, who scored five straight points to help erase a tie at 15.
“I was so happy to see us come out stronger and more energetic,” head coach Karen Weatherington said. “We had a lot of younger girls step up and our upperclassmen really took a leadership role. It’s great to get an A-Sun win at home and it really helps swing the momentum back on our side.”
KSU finished with its highest hitting percentage of the season at .337. Bean led the team in scoring with 17 points, while Turea Jones and Baylee Strachan followed suit with 11.5 a piece.
Sarah Metroka recorded 38 of the Owls 45 assists. Metroka’s 38 assists were more than the entire Stetson team had (30), with the Hatters leader finishing with just 16.
Turea Jones had her fifth double-double of the season with 10 digs and 10 kills.
Jones had a standout performance in the first game of the homestand against USC-Upstate, finishing with a team leading 21 points on 20 kills and 13 digs.
Keyaira Stevenson stepped up against the Spartans as well with 20 kills.
After Saturday’s game, Weatherington was impressed with the team’s ability to block out the shutout from the day before.
“We really wanted to step up our service game and I think we did that, Weatherington said. “We responded well to the quick turnaround and the girls did a great job handling it.”
After the first week of conference play, the Owls are currently tied with new A-Sun member Northern Kentucky for third place.
Northern Kentucky owns the best overall record at 14- 2, while the Owls are directly behind with an overall record of 12-5.
Lipscomb and Florida Gulf Coast lead the conference with 3-0 and 2-0 conference marks, respectively.
KSU will return to action at the Convocation Center on Friday against Lipscomb, and again on Saturday against Northern Kentucky.
