The Eastern Kentucky University Colonels volleyball team is set to play its first home matches of the 2024 season as part of the Geri Polvino Invitational on Friday and Saturday at the Rick Erdmann Olympic Sports Training Center (OSTC) on the EKU campus. The tournament kicks off on Friday at 10 a.m. with Radford facing Youngstown State, followed by EKU taking on long-time rival Morehead State at 1 p.m. The day continues with Youngstown State playing Morehead State at 4 p.m., and concludes with EKU squaring off against Radford at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Morehead State will face Radford at 11 a.m., and EKU will wrap up the invitational against Youngstown State at 1:30 p.m. All three of EKU’s matches will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
EKU enters the invitational after winning one of three matches at the Boston College Invitational. The Colonels secured a shutout victory over Iona and nearly forced a fifth set against Boston College before falling 3-1. Senior libero Josie Schmitendorf was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Week after averaging 4.20 digs per set over the weekend. Junior middle blocker Carson Ledford earned a spot on the Boston College Invitational All-Tournament Team, averaging 1.9 kills and 1.10 blocks per set while hitting .410 with just three errors in 39 attacks. EKU currently ranks fourth in the ASUN with 2.30 blocks per set. Sarah Mitchell has also been a standout, ranking fourth in the conference with 4.35 points per set, seventh with 3.60 kills per set, and ninth in aces with 0.50 per set.
Morehead State enters the tournament with a 0-3 record, having faced tough opponents like No. 9 Kentucky and Western Kentucky, which is receiving votes in the top-25. The Eagles are led by 6-foot-1 middle blocker Irene Wogenstahl, who tops the team in points (2.73 per set) and blocks (0.82 per set), and is second in kills (2.18 per set) and attack percentage (.217). Radford comes into the invitational with a 1-2 record, including a victory over Rider and losses to Temple and Fairleigh Dickinson. The Highlanders are led by 6-foot-4 outside hitter/opposite Sydney Munkkowsky, who averages 4.82 points and 4.45 kills per set, and ranks second on the team with a .356 attack percentage. Youngstown State also holds a 1-2 record, with their lone win coming in a five-set match against Long Island. The Penguins are led by 6-foot outside hitter Abbie Householder, who averages 3.0 kills per set and 3.31 points per set.
In terms of series history, Morehead State holds a 66-51 advantage over EKU, with the two teams last meeting in 2020. EKU’s series with Radford is tied at 3-3, with the Colonels winning the most recent match in Richmond on August 26, 2022. Against Youngstown State, EKU holds a commanding 10-1 lead in the series, though the Penguins claimed their first victory in the last meeting on September 9, 2016, in Akron, Ohio. As the Colonels prepare for their home opener, they will look to build on their early season momentum and defend their home court in this weekend’s tournament.
