Kennesaw State volleyball enters Atlantic Sun play

Interview with Kennesaw State coach Keith Schunzel:

By E. Marcel Pourtout, Editor

The Kennesaw State volleyball team will play its first Atlantic Sun Conference match of the season on Friday in a road contest against USC Upstate (9-6). The Owls (6-8) opened the week with a 3-0 setback at Georgia Tech on Tuesday.

After dropping the first set 25-13 against the Yellow Jackets, Kennesaw State rebounded and was competitive the rest of the match, dropping the last two sets 25-21 and 25-17.

“We adjusted to the speed of the game,” Owls’ coach Keith Schunzel said. “That’s the difference when you play a team like this (Georgia Tech). Our serving picked up in the second and third set and we passed way better. Our kids competed more and started to play more free.”

Schunzel noted the overall lessons from the Georgia Tech contest.

“When you go against a good team, if you have any hesitation or disbelief in what you’re doing, the point is over,” he said.

Freshman Anaiah Boyer finished the match with a team-high 11 kills and a .524 hitting percentage. She also added six digs and three blocks..

Ria Ridley matched her career-high with seven kills while hitting .357. Katarina Morton led the team with 14 digs, and Kristi Piedimonte had 18 assists.

The match also gave the coaching staff an opportunity to open up the bench for reserves to gain playing time.

“There are a few spots people are competing for,” Schunzel said. “We’re trying to figure out some back row positions from a defensive and passing standpoint. We preach to our players that when we put you in, you have to make something happen or your number won’t be called again. That’s the reality of college athletics and we’re trying to give people chances.”

Kennesaw State’s non-conference slate has concluded with a full Atlantic Sun slate on forward.

“We’ve seen growth so far,” Schunzel said. “We’re so young starting four freshmen and some sophomores. A couple of players stepped up and continue improving. We’ve played a tough schedule this year which is good because we’re set up to play anybody in our league.”

“We’ve improved from day one,” Piedimonte said. “Each day, we’ve come to practice and gotten better. Overall, we’re heading in the right direction.”