KSU’s volleyball team split its slate of matches against Atlantic Sun Conference rivals Jacksonville and North Florida this past weekend, leaving them with a 7-9 record on the year.
In the first match of the weekend, KSU fell 3-1 to Jacksonville, despite senior Emily Bean’s double-double performance. The Owls got off to a hot start in the first set, jumping out to a 10-5 lead behind back-to-back kills from Bean. However, the Dolphins went on to tie the set at 16 before winning it 25-23 on a KSU attack error.
The Owls only led once in the second set, when a Toure Hopkins service ace put them up 9-8. JU quickly regained the lead, however, and would eventually take the set 25-10.
KSU trailed early in the third set, but recovered by cashing in on four JU errors to go up 13-7. The Dolphins rallied back to within one point, but the Owls pulled out the set win, 25-21. Jacksonville went on a 10-1 run in the fourth quarter and never looked back, sealing the match with a 25-17 set win.
In their next match against North Florida, KSU redeemed themselves with a close 3-2 win. The Owls were backed by strong showings from Kelly Marcinek, Cierra Royster, Toure Hopkins and Emily Bean, who all posted double-figure kills.
KSU started off the match with a 8-1 run and won the first set against the Ospreys 25-15 behind two kills each from Marcinek and Chade Martin. The second set was a much closer affair, with 13 ties and five lead changes. A 25-25 tie forced extra points, where the Owls finally secured the set 27-25 on two kills from Sara Metroka and Marcinek.
UNF jumped out to a 4-1 lead early in the third set. The Owls managed to tie things up at 12, but could not gain a lead as the Ospreys went on to win it 25-22. The UNF comeback continued in the fourth set with a 25-19 win, forcing a decisive fifth set.
The two teams battled to a 9-9 tie before the Owls pulled away, securing a 15-12 set win on Royster’s 15th kill of the afternoon.
Head coach Keith Schunzel was pleased with his squad’s efforts.
“The first two sets we came out and played really well with lots of energy,” he said. “We hit a lapse at the intermission that was kind of disappointing, but that happens. In sets three and four we had chances but we just didn’t come out with a win. Then in set five it was back and forth as was expected but we took it in our first match point attempt and I’m proud of that. We did a lot of good things today. It wasn’t always good and it wasn’t always pretty but we’re happy about it.”
The Owls will now travel to play four straight Atlantic Sun contests, starting with Northern Kentucky on Oct. 11.
