By Chris Raimondi, Sports Editor and Taylor Blackmon, Contributor
With a 3-0 win over Jacksonville State University Saturday, Kennesaw State’s volleyball team is off to a perfect 3-0 start to the season, 9-0 in all sets.
The Owls also defeated Savannah State University and Alabama State University in the Kennesaw State Invitational hosted at the Convocation Center this weekend.
“I’m incredibly proud of the weekend that we’ve put together,” KSU head coach Keith Schunzel said. “The first weekend a lot of things could happen. You think you kind of have an idea, but until you get on the court and start competing against other people, you really have no idea.”
Against JSU, the Owls claimed the first set 25-15, but the Gamecocks would not be easily defeated.
In the second set, JSU matched the Owls point-for-point as the score reached 20-20. KSU quickly pulled away to claim the final five points to win the set 25-20. The Owls went on to win the final set 25-15 and complete the tournament sweep.
KSU dismissed Alabama A&M Friday night in straight sets, 25-20, 25-12 and 25-14. Anaiah Boyer led the Owls with 11 kills. In the first match of KSU’s double header Saturday the Owls edged Savannah State 3-0, winning sets 25-10, 25-13 and 25-10.
Freshman Sydni Shelton stood out amongst her teammates during the tournament, leading KSU in kills in two out of the three games. The Danville, Alabama native leads the team in kills with 34 and hitting percentage at .623 among players with at least 20 attacks.
Shelton was named co-freshman of the week in the Atlantic Sun Conference after her performance this weekend.
“I’m a freshman and I’m still getting used to everything, but everyone makes me feel so much more comfortable on the floor,” Shelton said. “If wasn’t for all of their support I would be so nervous and out of my head but they keep me focused.”
The Owls face Georgia Southern University Thursday, Sept. 3 in Athens, Georgia during the Georgia Challenge tournament before playing Mercer Friday night.
