The volleyball team goes over strategy with coach Mora Kanim as it prepares to host the KSU Invitational this weekend. STEVEN MANTILLA | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: John Proppe

The volleyball team will be hosting the Kent State Invitational today and tomorrow at the M.A.C. Center.

The Flashes will begin competion tonight against Murray State at 7:30 p.m., and will also face Chicago State and North Carolina State this weekend.

“They are a team that has been strong in the past,” assistant coach Scott Carter said. “They have been consistent over the past few years and will be a good challenge.”

The Golden Flashes have high expectations for the invitational.

“We will take it one match at a time,” Carter said. “The expectation every time we take the floor is that we will be consistent, confident and respond well in pressure situations.”

Carter said the team is looking to improve throughout the season.

“We are making good progress every day in practice,” he said. “I think we are gaining more confidence. We are starting to believe more and more in our capabilities.”

Players Katie Veatch and Sarah Wilber have the same enthusiasm as Carter.

“We expect to go 3-0,” Veatch said. “We will have good competition, but we should win.”

The team hopes to hit its peak soon.

“We aren’t at our peak yet.” Veatch said.

Veatch also is looking to improve her play.

“I feel like I’m getting better, but have a long way to go,” Veatch said.

Wilber shares the same enthusiasm.

“We want to come out strong and play like we are capable of playing,” she said.

She also likes the way the team is playing.

“We had a good start,” Wilber said. “We started out slow, but we are in a good place.”

Wilber gives a lot of credit to her teammates.

“I’m in a good place,” Wilber said. “I can’t do it without my teammates.”

Kent State is tied 1-1 in its all-time series against Chicago State. Kent State won its only previous match against Murray State. The Flashes are undefeated (3-0) against North Carolina State.

The team will continue its season at the Western Carolina Catamount Clash in North Carolina next weekend.

Contact volleyball reporter Frank Schaefer at [email protected].