Kent State University
4-18, 2-9MAC
Buffalo
14-8, 7-4MAC
Flashes Unable to Win Close Sets in Loss to Bulls
10/27/2017 11:51:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State lost by just two points in each set of a 3-0 (23-25, 26-28, 25-27) setback to Buffalo in a Mid-American Conference match Friday evening at the M.A. Center. The Golden Flashes (4-18, 2-9 MAC) have dropped five straight matches, while the Bulls (14-8, 7-4 MAC) have won five straight.
Scoring the critical points has plagued Kent State throughout the season, and has led to several close losses in recent weeks. The Flashes have lost nine consecutive sets by an average of just four points. Four of those sets have been decided by the minimum two points and another three have been decided by three points.
"I thought we played pretty good tonight, but just not good enough," said head coach Don Gromala. "Once again, we were right there with just a few points being the difference. As a staff, we did to take to take a look at finding ways to put our players in position to score more points."
Kent State was able to neutralize a large statistical discrepancy by limiting its errors. Buffalo held a 59-36 advantage in kills and a 73-46 advantage in digs while also leading in hitting percentage, .263-.195. The Flashes, however, gave away just 13 points on unforced errors compared to 26 points by the Bulls.
Senior Kelsey Bittinger had a big offensive night with 13 kills and zero errors on 38 swings for a .342 hitting percentage. Bittinger added nine digs and an ace.
"Kelsey played a really smart match and that kept us in it," commented Gromala.
Junior Lexi Mantas notched her fourth double-double of the year with 10 kills and 10 digs to go with two aces and two blocks. Although senior Heather Younkin had just three kills, she did not have any errors on 19 attempts on the night. Freshman Natalie Tagala had 27 assists.
Senior Challen Geraghty led the defense with 12 digs. Sophomore Myla King registered four blocks in her return to action after being sidelined last weekend.
