Following a road victory against Central Michigan last weekend, the Kent State volleyball team will return to the M.A.C. Center this weekend to host the Ball State Cardinals Friday night and the Toledo Rockets Saturday night.

The team (10-9, 4-2 Mid-American Conference) will be hosting a promotion called Dig for the Cure during its game against the Rockets Saturday for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Fans attending the match can purchase pink Dig for the Cure T-shirts for $10, and the proceeds will go to the J.D. Breast Cancer Foundation.

The Flashes have won their last three meets, including an upset victory in four sets over the nationally ranked Ohio Bobcats on Oct. 10. Their recent winning streak has moved the Flashes up to third place in the MAC East Division standings.

Senior Aleksandra Nowak has emerged as one of the best setters in the conference this season. Nowak is fifth in the MAC in assists per set, totaling 729 assists in 73 sets, and recorded a career-high three aces against the Bobcats.

Sophomore Kelly Hutchison was named MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week Monday following her performances against Ohio and Central Michigan last week. Hutchison set a career high with 22 kills against the Bobcats and followed that performance with 11 kills against the Chippewas last Saturday.

The Cardinals (17-4, 5-1 MAC) hold the first-place position in the MAC West Division and have won 14 of their last 15 matches. Their lone conference loss this season came against the Rockets (11-9, 4-2 MAC), who are currently second in the MAC West.

Both matches are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Contact Kent Hushion at [email protected].