Volleyball Looks To Continue Winning Ways at Bearcat Invitational

The Kent State volleyball team aims to extend its winning streak this weekend (Sept. 3-4) when it participates in the Bearcat Invitational in Cincinnati. The Golden Flashes battle with host Cincinnati 7:30 p.m. Friday (Sept. 3), then face off with Murray State at 10 a.m. and James Madison at 5 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 4).

KSU (4-1) is riding a three-match winning streak after knocking off Pittsburgh, 3-1, in its home opener on Tuesday (Aug. 31). The Flashes took three of four matches in the Spartan Classic to open the 2010 season last weekend (Aug. 27-28), including 3-0 sweeps of Providence College (Aug. 27) and Navy (Aug.28).

The Bearcats (4-1) are also off to a fast start after downing Northern Colorado and Cal State Northridge in the San Diego State Tournament last weekend before wrapping up their west-coast swing with a sweep at UC Santa Barbara.

Murray State (0-4) seeks its first victory of the season after falling to Southern Utah, Northern Arizona, Wyoming and Central Arkansas last weekend in the Wyoming Invite.

James Madison (3-0) hosted the JMU Coca-Cola Classic and came away with triumphs over Stetson, UNC Asheville and Davidson.

ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK

The Kent State offensive attack has been a three-headed monster this season as senior Liva Brivule (Riga, Latvia), junior Maigan Larsen (Lancaster, Wis.) and sophomore Meredith Paskert (Brecksville, Ohio) have combined to tally 138 of Kent State's 224 kills this season. Brivule leads the way with 50 while Larsen and Paskert have contributed 45 and 43, respectively.

Paskert hit .455 and posted 13 kills in the win over Pitt. Larsen was named to the Spartan Classic All-Tournament Team after posting 34 kills and five service aces in the season opening tournament. She recorded a career-high 13 kills against UNC Greensboro (Aug. 27). Brivule led the way offensively in the win over Norfolk State (Aug. 28) by registering a personal season-best 12 kills.

YOU SET ME UP

All that scoring can't come without a little bit of help, and that's where sophomore Zuzana Markova (Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic) comes into play. Markova has recorded 154 assists to pace the team, including posting a team season high of 32 twice, against Pitt and at NSU. 

Markova also leads the Golden Flashes with 10 service aces, including a career high of five against Navy.

BLOCK THIS WAY

Brivule is an all-around force to be reckoned with around the net. In addition to all those kills, she leads the Mid-American Conference with 21 blocks (one solo, 20 assisted).

FROM THE BEAUTY LAND OHIO…

After spending its first weekend of competition in the Old Dominion State, Kent State will not leave the friendly confines of the Buckeye State for nearly a month. The squad is in the midst of a string of 11 straight matches in the state of Ohio, including hosting the Kent State/Mizuno Open Sept. 17-18.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Flashes make the drive up to Cleveland next weekend (Sept. 10-11) to compete in the Cleveland State Invitational, taking on Morgan State and George Washington in addition to the host Vikings.