Sept. 4, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga.--For the first time in the history of the program, the Kennesaw State volleyball team will host a tournament. This Friday and Saturday, KSU hosts the Owls Challenge, pitting the host team against Loyola (Md.), Austin Peay State and Butler.

Play begins this Friday at 5:00 p.m. when the Lady Govs of Austin Peay State take on the Bulldogs of Butler. At 7:30, KSU opens its home slate as the Owls take on the Greyhounds of Loyola in the final match of the opening day.

Saturday will be a busy day, starting at 10:00 a.m. when the Greyhounds return to face Butler. KSU will have its first match of the day 40 minutes following the conclusion of the first match as the Owls face APSU. An evening session begins at 5:00 p.m. with Loyola facing Austin Peay, concluding with KSU taking on Butler in the 7:00 p.m. tilt.

Kennesaw State (0-3) participated in the Air Force Labor Day Tournament, falling to the host Falcons, the University at Buffalo, and Southern Miss. KSU lost two of the three sets to Air Force by just two points and also took a set from the Bulls of Buffalo.

Freshman Callie Churchwell was named to the All-Tournament Team in Colorado Springs. The Florida native averaged seven kills per match for the Owls.

Loyola enters with a 1-3 mark after participating in last weekend's Duquesne/Robert Morris Invitational. The Greyhounds lost their first two matches of the tournament to Legigh and Robert Morris but rebounded the next day to top Saint Francis (Pa.) in four sets. Loyola finished up the tournament with a loss to Duquesne in three sets.

APSU comes to Kennesaw with a record of 4-1 after a 3-1 loss to Lipscomb on Tuesday night. The Lady Govs swept through their own Volleyball Classic last weekend. Stephanie Champine leads APSU with a 3.50 kills per set average.

KSU's final opponent will be the Butler Bulldogs. Butler competed last weekend in a tournament hosted by UTEP and went 2-1 with wins over Oral Robers and NJIT and a loss to the host Miners. On Tuesday night, the Bulldogs swept Marian of Division III.

Gametracker will be available for all six matches of the Owls Challenge. Links are available on the Owls Challenge Central page.

Special Traffic Note: The Georgia Department of Transportation is planning to close the Chastain Road northbound exit ramp on Interstate 75 this Friday evening. The ramp will remain closed through Sunday night. Fans coming to the KSU Convocation Center from Atlanta should exit onto I-575 and proceed to the Chastain Road exit (Exit 3). From there, turn left and proceed one mile until crossing over I-75. Then, follow the normal directions to Kennesaw State.