Owls volleyball beat Sam Houston State 3-1 on Oct. 19 to win their fifth game in their last six matches at the Convocation Center last weekend.
The Owls’ performance was highlighted by a team leading 14 kills from junior outside hitter Manu Johnsen, which helped her surpass 1,000 career kills in her college career.
“It means a lot because the atmosphere was amazing,” Johnsen said. “I’m just happy that I can contribute to the program and I’m at a program where the coaches are good at taking care of us.”
Johnsen also led the Owls with three aces to go alongside 16 digs and three assists.
Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Olivia Burrage reached double-digit kills for the Owls as well with 10, and freshman outside/right side hitter Kiernan Stamey added eight kills to round out the Owls’ leaders.
Sophomore middle blocker Maggie Byrd led the Owls with five blocks with Burrage and junior outside/right side hitter Maggie Butkovich adding four blocks each.
Owls’ stat leaders for the game were rounded out by redshirt sophomore setter Kourtney Brown with 24 assists and junior defensive specialist Leah Freeman with 19 digs.
Freshman setter Kaeley Walz ranked second on the team with 14 assists and two aces, and ranked third on the team with eight digs.
The Owls now find themselves with a 9-12 record on the season, with a 6-4 record against their conference opponents.
As the season enters its final stretch, the Owls will be on the road for six of their final eight games. This road stretch starts with a two game series on Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 against the Florida International.
“I think we’ve been in a really good place on the road,” Owls head coach Keith Schunzel said. “I think on the road I haven’t seen us go completely out of character or really freak out – so I’m expecting more of that.”
Facing multiple conference opponents on the road to end the season is just part of the team’s identity as they look to grow and improve each week.
“I think our team confidence and team presence have grown,” coach Schunzel said. “Now we’re expecting to win, whereas early (in the season) we were hoping to win a little bit – we keep growing.”
The team’s growth seems to be coming at the right time as they face four straight games on the road, after a four game homestand.
The Owls will play their final home series of the season on Nov. 8 and Nov 9 against Middle Tennessee State.
The Owls will finish their season on the road in their next series when they face Texas at El Paso on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16.
