Kent State’s women’s volleyball team hosts the University of Toledo Friday night and Ball State University Saturday night at the M.A.C. Center.

The Flashes, who enter the day at 10-8, defeated the University at Buffalo and swept the University of Akron this past weekend. They improved their MAC Conference record to 4-2 and moved into a tie for second place in the MAC East division.

On Friday, Kent State takes on Toledo at 7 p.m. at the M.A.C. Center. The Rockets lost its last game against Central Michigan University and have now lost seven straight games. Their last win was Sept. 18.

Toledo hasn’t faired much better in conference play this season, compiling a MAC record of 0-6 and a total record of 3-16. In their only matchup last season, the Flashes made quick work of Toledo, sweeping them in three sets.

Sophomores Saige Thomas and Rachel Vidourek lead the Rockets in kills with 187 and 181. Senior Alex Hines owns the team-high in assists with 555 while freshman Maurissa Leonard tallied the most digs with 345.

On Saturday, the Flashes host the Dig for the Cure game against Ball State at 7 p.m. Like Toledo, Ball State also enters its game against Kent on a losing streak (three games).

Against MAC Conference opponents, Ball State has posted a record of 3-3 with a total record of 9-11. At away games, like the game this Saturday against Kent, the Cardinals own a record of 2-6. The Flashes will be looking for revenge this season after losing to Ball State in three straight sets last year.

Kent State senior Kelly Hutchison received her second MAC East Offensive Player of the Week award after her performances against Buffalo and Akron last weekend. She recorded 31 total kills and 10 digs while posting a total hitting percentage of .370.

Jesse Runner is a sports reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].