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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State volleyball opened its home schedule with a 3-0 sweep (25-23, 25-9, 25-21) of West Georgia on Friday night in the annual Griffin's Game at VyStar Arena. The first-ever meeting between the in-state programs moved the Owls to 4-1 on the season.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Olivia Burrage finished with 12 kills on 16 attacks for a .688 hitting percentage while adding a match-high four blocks.

STAT OF THE GAME: The Owls hit .358 for the match, finishing with 47 kills against just 13 errors.

THE RUNDOWN KSU battled through a tight opening set that featured nine ties and five lead changes before Haley Patterson closed out the 25-23 win with a kill. The Owls dominated the second, using an 8-1 run to build a 17-6 advantage on the way to a 25-9 victory. KSU hit .435 in the frame. West Georgia led early in the third before KSU took control late. The Owls broke a 16-16 tie with three straight points and held off the Wolves for the 25-21 win and the sweep.

NOTES

NEXT TIME OUT The Owls close out the KSU Invitational Saturday at 2 p.m. against Alabama A&M at VyStar Arena.

The Champions Fund The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.

ATLANTA — The Georgia State volleyball team (1-3, 0-0 SBC) rallied in a five-set win over Kennesaw State (3-1, 0-0 CUSA) on Thursday night at GSU Sports Arena.

Akira Burt led the way with a match-high 26 kills and posted a double-double, adding 15 digs to go with a team-high three aces. Julie Arias chipped in 10 kills, while Sigrun Jonsdottir paced the defense with a team-high 19 digs. Mina Olgar was a force at the net with a match-high 11 blocks, and Annelore Engels ran the offense with a team-high 22 assists.

How It Happened SET 1 | The two porgrams battled through 11 ties and five lead changes before the Panthers pulled ahead for good at 15-14. Akira Burt took over down the stretch, delivering the final two kills of the set as Georgia State closed out a 25-20 win.

SET 2 | The Panthers built an early cushion, riding a hot stretch from Burt to a 9-2 lead and later 15-12. However, Kennesaw State clawed back point by point, eventually tying it before pulling ahead late to escape with a 25-23 win and even the match.

SET 3 | Georgia State answered immediately, trading points with the Owls through a tight opening before finding separation. Panthers' defense turned away five Kennesaw State attacks and forced 12 hitting errors, while three service aces kept the pressure on. Tied at 12-12, Georgia State reeled off a decisive closing surge to take the set, 25-17, and a 2-1 match lead.

SET 4 | Kennesaw State turned the tables in the fourth, building an early lead and holding off a late Georgia State push. The Panthers hit a sharp .406 with 15 kills in the set but couldn't complete the comeback, dropping it 25-21 to force a fifth.

SET 5 | Georgia State never trailed in the decisive set. The Panthers grabbed the lead on the first point and steadily built on it, getting key stops at the net to open a six-point cushion before closing out the match, 15-9, for the five-set win.

Game Notes » This match marks the first win under Jorge Martinez. » Akira Burt recorded a double-double with 26 kills and 15 digs, reaching a new career-high. » Georgia State had five players reach double figures in digs. » Burt also led the team with three service aces. » Mina Olgar tallied a match-high 11 blocks, only one block shy of tying the GSU program record of blocks in a five set match. » Sigrun Jonsdottir paced Georgia State with 19 digs. » Annelore Engels dished out a team-high 22 assists. » Georgia State's dominance at the net was especially effective in the fifth set, turning away five KSU attacks. » The Panthers never trailed in the decisive fifth set.

Up Next The Panthers head to Kennesaw, Ga. for day two of the GSU Invitational, where they'll face Alabama A&M on Friday at 2 p.m. at VyStar Arena.

The City of Kennesaw is turning up the volume in 2026 with the return of the Kennesaw Concert Series, presented by Wellstar Health System, with premier sponsorship from Hester Dental, Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, and Woodstock Chiropractic. Now in its third year, the series brings a powerhouse mix of a legendary rock act and fan-favorite tribute bands to the United Bankshares Amphitheater at Depot Park, delivering free, unforgettable live music experiences all season long.

From classic rock icons to throwback pop and timeless tributes, the 2026 lineup is packed with shows music fans will not want to miss

March 28 – Night RangerNight Ranger takes the stage with four decades of chart-topping hits, electrifying live performances, and a legacy that helped define American rock. With more than 17 million albums sold worldwide and over 4,000 shows performed, the band continues to deliver arena-sized anthems and top-tier musicianship. Fans can expect classics like “Sister Christian,” “(You Can Still) Rock in America,” and “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” along with the energy and precision that have kept Night Ranger touring strong for 40 years.

May 2 – Boy Band ReviewBoy Band Review brings the ultimate throwback party, celebrating the biggest boy band hits of the ’90s and early 2000s. With a full live band, polished choreography, and nonstop crowd interaction, the group recreates the excitement of *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block, and more, delivering a fun, sing-along experience that spans generations.

August 22 – Rumours ATL: A Fleetwood Mac TributeWidely praised for their authenticity and musicianship, Rumours ATL recreates the iconic sound and harmonies of Fleetwood Mac with remarkable precision. Audiences will hear beloved classics like “Rhiannon,” “Go Your Own Way,” and “Dreams” in a performance that honors one of rock’s most celebrated catalogs.

September 26 – Dancing Dream: The Tribute to ABBADancing Dream brings the sparkle, sound, and global hits of ABBA to life with a high-energy performance featuring favorites like “Mamma Mia,” “Dancing Queen,” and “Waterloo.” Based in New York City and having performed more than 300 shows across North America, the group delivers a polished tribute that keeps audiences on their feet.

“This series is quickly becoming a highlight of our community calendar,” said Mayor Derek Easterling. “These concerts bring people together, showcase incredible talent, and continue to position the United Bankshares Amphitheater at Depot Park as a go-to destination for live music in our region. We’re excited to welcome residents and visitors alike for another outstanding season.”

The Kennesaw Concert Series offers free concerts in the heart of Downtown Kennesaw. Guests are encouraged to bring collapsible lawn chairs or camping chairs and enjoy food and beverages available for purchase from a variety of vendors.

Concert Season Seats are available for $100 per seat for the full season and are located on the second level of the tiered turf lawn. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Full-season seat sales are available until sold out or 5:00 p.m. on March 6, 2026.

KENNESAW, Ga. — Kennesaw State football racked up over 500 yards of offense as it rolled to a 47-0 season-opening win over West Georgia on Thursday night at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium.

After weathering a rain delay of over an hour before kickoff, the Owls came out of the locker room and struck quickly, with the first of six first-half rushing touchdowns coming less than two minutes in.

The KSU ground attack ruled the night with 297 yards at 6.3 yards per carry. Four different Owls recorded 40 or more rush yards. Boogie Woods III led the team with 11 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown. Latrelle Murrell added two rushing scores on nine carries for 88 yards while Triston Morgan turned in five carries for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Rickie Collins' first KSU start featured 171 passing yards on 18-of-23 with a touchdown. Collins complemented his passing game with seven rushes for 51 yards and two scores.

The Owls totaled 508 yards of offense to just 160, including 49 on the ground, for West Georgia. KSU picked up 31 first downs to the Wolves' seven and went 4-for-4 on red zone trips. Thursday's shutout is the first pitched by the Owls since a 14-0 blanking of North Carolina A&T in 2021.

Murrell, a transfer from UWG, opened the scoring against his former team with a 45-yard touchdown run to put the Owls up 6-0 early.

Morgan scored from 60 yards out with 2:07 to play in the first. KSU's 12-0 lead quickly became 19-0 as linebacker Zay Wilson pounced on a fumbled UWG kickoff return, giving the Owls the ball at the Wolves' 14-yard line. Collins made the most of the prime field position with a 3-yard touchdown scamper three plays later.

KSU tacked on three more touchdown drives in the second quarter.

Murrell capped the quarter's first scoring drive with a 17-yard rushing touchdown. Another Collins' keeper, this one from 24 yards out, put KSU up 33-0 with 3:22 before the half. Woods toted the ball on four straight plays on the Owls' final drive of the half and found paydirt with a 1-yard plunge for the 40-0 lead at the break.

Collins used his arm to tack on a final KSU score of the night. The eight-play, 73-yard drive ended in a nine-yard touchdown pass from Collins to Dylan Gary.

KSU is back in action at home versus Georgia State on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. Join Owl Nation at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium for a special commemoration of the 2025 Conference USA Championship team or tune in on ESPN+.

Team Notes

Individual Notes

.@LaTrelleM1 HOUSE CALL ????#HootyHoo https://t.co/V4mguMX8V5 pic.twitter.com/PFrfNzOJKl

— Kennesaw State Football (@kennesawstfb) September 4, 2026

The Champions Fund The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.

Just one year after graduating from Kennesaw State University, Michael Rixom ’25 has reached a significant milestone in his profession. At just 23 years old, Rixom has achieved the rare distinction of becoming one of Georgia’s youngest licensed architects.

“It means a lot to me in my career,” he said. “It’s very rare that people get their license this soon after graduation. I made it one of my goals when I graduated to get it done as fast as possible.”

Architectural licensure is built around two major requirements: professional experience and examinations. In Georgia, candidates must document approximately 3,800 hours of experience across areas such as practice management, design, and working with contractors during construction. After this, they must pass six exams that evaluate their knowledge across those same areas.

For Rixom, the two requirements came together almost simultaneously. He completed his required experience hours during the same week he sat for his final exam.

“My reaction really came from when I completed my last test and I got the provisional pass,” he said. “There was a lot of anxiety because this could be the last one. But then it was straight relief after I got the official report.”

Getting there meant giving up much of his free time.

After graduating from KSU, Rixom spent roughly six months working through the exams. Most days, he arrived home from work around 6 p.m., ate dinner, and began studying around 7 p.m. He would often study until 10 p.m., repeating the routine after each workday.

“I really had to lock myself down after the year started,” Rixom said. “I would sit down for about two to three hours every day after work and study, study, study.”

His ability to become licensed so quickly was rooted in a decision he made years earlier at KSU.

While studying in Kennesaw State’s College of Architecture and Construction Management, Rixom secured an internship during his third year. Because aspiring architects can begin accumulating required experience before graduation, those hours put him ahead in the licensure process by the time he entered the profession full time.

“I think the thing I’m most proud of is being able to look ahead and have that forward outlook in life,” Rixom said. “Just by taking the tests doesn’t mean you’re licensed. You still have to have the experience.”

One of the projects that helped open that door was “A Framed Story,” the sustainable reimagining of Marietta Square that Rixom designed with classmate Sean Spencer. The pair earned Silver in the International Design Awards, becoming the first KSU architecture students recognized by the global competition.

Before the project earned international recognition, it caught the attention of a professional juror reviewing their work at KSU. Impressed by the students’ design direction and production skills, the juror later helped Rixom connect with the internship that began his professional experience.

CACM Dean Hazem Rashed-Ali said Rixom’s rapid progress reflects the commitment he showed as a student.

“Michael’s achievement at such an early stage in his career is a tremendous accomplishment and speaks to his discipline, talent and commitment to architecture,” Rashed-Ali said. “We are proud to see him reach this important milestone so soon after graduation.”

Now working at Smallwood Architects, Rixom is putting his license to use while working on performing arts center projects. He said his next challenge is learning the project management and professional skills that come with taking on greater responsibility.

“I feel like I just have an initial taste of the profession,” Rixom said. “Now I’m trying to dive deep into it.”

– Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photo provided

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.