The Sports Inquirer

By E. Marcel Pourtout, Editor

Coming into last season, the Kennesaw State volleyball team welcomed a new head coach tasked with bringing program to its next level of development. The Owls proceeded to win 13 matches and make the Atlantic Sun Tournament.

This season, Kennesaw State returns eight letterwinners who had an active offseason. “Six of our returners worked with the strength coach this summer and the ones who didn’t stick around came in great shape for camp,” second-year coach Keith Schunzel. “I feel good about where we’re at and how hard we’re working. We’re training well and getting better everyday.”

The offseason also allowed Schunzel to continue implementing his standards to the Owls’ program. “We’ve spent a year harping to the players about our culture and how to do things the right way,” he said. “They’re buying into it and I feel great about where our program is.”

On the court, Kennesaw State returns last season’s A-Sun Freshman of the year, outside hitter Kelly Marcinek who led the team in kills with 402. Senior Ria Ridley looks to secure the other outside spot for the Owls. “We have a lot more arms on the pins this year,” Schunzel said in reference to his hitters. “That’s allowing us to play at a higher level and we’re terminating balls at a better clip.”

The setter position will be rotated between incumbent junior Michelle Witt and freshman Kristi Piedimonte. “We’ve sped up the tempo to the outside and they’re both setting the ball consistently,” Schunzel said. “Everyday we change our thoughts on who would start. Competition is a good thing.”

The players have noted the internal competition during the preseason will bring benefits to the upcoming regular season. “We have a wide variety of personalities and talents,” Witt said. “Everyone has their role and knows when they can step up, sit back and be a leader when needed. Its great competition.”

Witt added that “we have great communication and everyone gets along and works well together.”

The middle blocker looks to be a strength for Kennesaw State with several returners including sophomore Cierra Royster who had 238 kills last season, junior Toure Hopkins with 211 kills and a team-high 30 aces in 2013 and sophomore Megan McGuiness whose 79 blocks were a team-high last year.

Defensively, the Owls will rebuild the libero/defensive specialist position led by prep All-America Katraina Morton out of Pearland, Tex.

Kennesaw State welcomes five total newcomers, all freshmen, to the program this season. “They’re ready and prepared with each of them fighting for a spot,” Schunzel said.

The Owls open the season this weekend at the Belmont Invitational in Nashville, Tenn. and will participate in four weekend tournaments in total before conference play commences in October. “The tournaments are important because they will get our freshmen players acclimated to the college game and see where they’re at,” Schanzel said.

For the returning players, the tournaments allow them to set their own tone for the season “I want to have fun, play some great teams and prove that we’re coming out to compete,” Witt said. “As a setter, I want to continue to lead my team, be consistent and get our offense going.”

The 2014 season represents another step towards building the KSU program. “You want to move forward and its important to me that we keep training and competing at a higher level every day,” Schanzel said. “Our group wasn’t mentally there last year but we’ve taken a big step forward in a lot of areas and I think that will translate to more wins. I think this group is ready for that challenge.”

The Owls open their 2014 campaign this Friday at Belmont.