Release courtesy of Kennesaw State Athletics:
After hosting the KSU Owls Invitational, the Owls will head to Coastal Carolina for two matches on Friday and one on Saturday. On Friday, the team will have an early start as they play Tennessee at 9 a.m. and then will play Coastal Carolina that night at 7 p.m. with the game broadcasted on the the Big South Network. On Saturday, KSU will finish off the tournament against Loyola Maryland at 11 a.m.
Setter Kristi Piedimonte was named the Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Week after totaling 144 assists in four matches along with 29 digs, 18 kills and six blocks. She recorded the first two double-doubles of her career against Elon and UNC Asheville and she set or matched all of her career highs with 52 assists, 10 digs and seven kills against UNC Asheville.
The Owls are a combined 1-6 against SEC opponents. The one win came against Mississippi State at their tournament in 2012. Chade Martin is the only remaining player from that team. This will be the first time KSU will play Tennessee.
Last weekend, The Owls went 1-2 in the KSU Owls Invitational. The team played in two five setters losing to Elon and beating UNC Asheville before falling to AVCA No. 7 Purdue in three sets. The Owls did challenge the Boilermakers in the first set before dropping it 25-23.
“We played in three really competitive matches with a ton of fan support. I can’t thank the crowds enough. The energy and atmosphere in this gym is what college sports is all about,” coach Keith Schunzel said.
Fanice Cannon was named to the KSU Owls Invitational All-Tournament Team. She finished the tournament with 36 kills including a career high 20 against UNC Asheville after hitting .432. Cannon also had two double-doubles during the tournament.
Kelly Marcinek had two more matches totaling double-digit kills the first weekend at home. She has had double-digit kills in five of the team’s seven matches this season. Freshman Rachel Taylor received her first career start against No. 7 Purdue and responded with her best game early in 2014. She finished with three kills hitting .429 and had three blocks.
Libero Katarina Morton has made an instant impact on the defense for the Owls. She is fourth in the A-Sun averaging 3.78 digs per set. She also helps on offense with a very dangerous serve leading the team with 12 aces.
Taylor wasn’t the only freshman to step up against Purdue. Anaiah Boyer got a lot of time at right outside hitter on Saturday and responded. She finished two matches with 16 kills, six digs and three blocks. Against Purdue, Boyer hit .300.
Cannon and Marcinek both had monster games against UNC Asheville. They both hit over .400 and combined for 41 kills.
The Sports Inquirer 
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