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KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Riding a three-match winning streak, the Kutztown University women's volleyball team opens its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) schedule this weekend, Sept. 14-15, taking on Mercyhurst University and No. 14 Gannon University at 7 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively, inside Keystone Arena.
Live stats and video will be available via the links above. The KUTV broadcast is set to air on Service Electric Channel 24, Channel 524 (HD), Hometown Utilicom Channel 191 in Kutztown and eastern Berks County, Service Electric Channel 266, Channel 765 (HD) in the Lehigh Valley and online at
www.kubears.com as part of the PSAC Network.
Fans can stream all PSAC Network events through their televisions using the following devices: Roku, Amazon Fire, Android TV and Apple TV. To stream PSAC Network events through these devices, simply search for "PSAC" on any of the compatible devices, and download the free app.
KU's 6-3 start to the 2018 season is its best since 2011 when head coach
John Gump led the Golden Bears to a 24-9 record and PSAC quarterfinal appearance.
The Golden Bears' success to start the season can be attributed to their improvement on the offensive end from a year ago. As a team, Kutztown is hitting at a .212 clip, seventh in the PSAC, compared to last season's .146 attacking percentage.
The outside hitting duo of sophomore
Holly Owen (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) and senior
Brittney Moyer (Orwigsburg, Pa./Blue Mountain (Lock Haven)) has combined for 210 of KU's 368 team kills. Owen currently sits fifth in the PSAC with an average of 3.94 kills per set, totaling 122 kills in the Maroon and Gold's first nine matches. The Hatboro-native has led her team in kills in every match this season and is on pace to double her output of 186 kills from 2017.
The veteran Moyer continues to be a consistent member of the KU attack, hitting a career-high .221 to begin the season. Moyer and Owen are both on pace to reach the 300-kill mark for the season, a feat that hasn't been accomplished by a Kutztown tandem in the 25 points-per-set era, which began in 2008.
Amanda Meck (Fleetwood, Pa./Fleetwood Area) and
Abbey James (York, Pa./West York Area) have facilitated the Maroon and Gold's offense effectively, which as a team is averaging 10.87 assists per set. On the defensive end,
Sydney Wilson (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) has been her reliable self, anchoring the defense with 4.97 digs per set while playing a critical role in serve-receive.
The Lakers of Mercyhurst will enter Keystone Arena on Friday evening, sporting a 5-8 record in 2018. MU finished 11-18 in 2017 and 6-12 in PSAC play in a very competitive Northwest Division, which also includes Gannon, Edinboro and Slippery Rock.
Earlier this year, the Lakers competed at the PSAC-Mountain East Conference (MEC) Crossover, alongside KU, going 1-3. Mercyhurst defeated University of Charleston in five sets, but fell to West Virginia State, Shepherd and Urbana. The Maroon and Gold also went 1-3 on the weekend, downing WVSU in five and losing to Shepherd, Urbana and Charleston.
The strength of the Lakers is similar to that of the Golden Bears, as their outside hitters, Alyssa Zirnheld and Katie Baird, have been their main offensive contribution. With two sides which have similar attacking styles and results when it comes to common opponents, fans can expect an exciting back-and-forth affair in Kutztown's home PSAC opener.
Saturday's matchup with the Gannon Golden Knights will be a real test for the Maroon and Gold, as it will face off with its first nationally-ranked program this season. Holding an unblemished 11-0 record, GU ranks first or second in the PSAC in every offensive category and is a fundamentally-sound team. A traditionally strong program, Gannon has won 20-plus matches in nine consecutive seasons and advanced to the National Semifinal a year ago, finishing with a 32-7 record.
KU's biggest challenge will be stopping the multi-faceted Golden Knight attack which features four players hitting .340 or above. Returning setter Ashley Beyers captains the GU attack, dishing out assists to the collection of Ashley Beyers, Aubree Lanman, Ashley McLung and Lauren Sampson among others.
Looking at the compilation of their normal starting seven, Smith and Beyers are the only two Gannon players which saw significant time last season. Additionally, GU has won 9-of-11 matches in straight sets and hasn't been tested much to begin this season. A key for Kutztown will be to keep the set scores close by limiting its mistakes and see how a young Golden Knight squad will react under pressure.
