Despite some solid individual performances, the Owls (1-5) could not get into the win column this past weekend at the Magnolia Invitational at Ole Miss.
In the first contest of the tournament against host Ole Miss, KSU took a 3-0 straight set loss despite great performances from Keyaira Stevenson, Cierra Royster and Toure Hopkins. Stevenson led the team with seven kills, while Royster and Hopkins had four blocks each. Down 23-19 late in the first set, KSU scored four straight points on two attack errors by the Rebels and back-to-back blocks by Royster. Ole Miss escaped the threat with a kill and won the opening set 25-16 before winning the second set 25-10. In the third set the Owls rallied from a 6-1 deficit to come within two points of the Rebels at 7-5 after a service ace from Jenna Wilt. However, Ole Miss would go on a 5-0 run to help them win the final set 25-18.
In their second match of the event, KSU took a close 3-2 loss to Arkansas State. Stevenson again led the way with a career high 22 kills while Kelly Marcinek added 18 of her own. Hopkins earned the first double-double of her career with 15 kills and 10 digs.
The Owls dropped a first set that consisted of eight ties and two lead changes, 25-18. KSU started out with a 5-0 run in the second set and survived an ASU comeback to win in extra points 26-24 on back-to-back kills from Marcinek. The Red Wolves started the third set strong, leading 16-11 at the halfway point, but the Owls were able to tie it up at 18 with two consecutive Camille Pedraza service aces. KSU then ended the set on a 5-1 run to secure a 2-1 match lead with a 25-25 win. In the fourth set, the Owls seemed to be in control with a 20-18 lead. That quickly changed with a 6-1 run by ASU that resulted in a 25-22 set loss that ensured a final set, which the Owls lost 15-8.
“We played our best volleyball tonight in sets two and three and led the match 2-1, but unfortunately we didn’t make enough plays to close it out in game four,” said head coach Keith Schunzel. “Game five is always a coin flip and we flat out got outplayed in the fifth.”
For the Owls’ final match of the festivities, they were pitted against in-state rival Georgia Southern. KSU would be shut out again with another 3-0 straight set loss. Royster led KSU’s offense in this match with 10 kills.
The Owls were able to cut a 10-2 deficit to 10-6 in the first set before the Eagles went on a 10-1 stretch to win it 25-12. The second set saw KSU grab a slim 2-1 lead early on before falling behind 9-5. The Owls tied the game on four straight points from Hopkins and Royster before GSU ran away with a 25-17 win. The Eagles started the third set on a 6-0 run and never looked back, securing the match with a 25-17 set win.
“You have to give credit to Georgia Southern, who was hands down the best team we played so far this year,” said Schunzel. “They’re extremely consistent in all phases of the game. And while we had some bright spots, we couldn’t sustain the level needed to beat them.”
Despite the losses, there was some room to celebrate as Camile Pedraza earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team with 58 digs during the three matches.
The Owls will now head home to host the KSU Invitational, where they will play their home debut against Tennessee Tech on Friday, Sept. 13.
