Kent State Volleyball Battles MAC West-Leading Western Michigan, Falls in Four Sets
10/19/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio — The Kent State volleyball team started the second half of its Mid-American Conference schedule with a 3-1 loss to Western Michigan (21-25, 26-24, 20-25, 18-15), Friday (Oct. 19) evening at the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (5-16, 2-7) returned home for the first of consecutive matches at the M.A.C. Center in hopes of starting the second part of their conference slate the way they started it: with a win. The match featured 20 ties and 12 lead changes, but the Broncos (14-8, 7-2) were able to come away victorious.
Junior defensive specialist/libero Hannah Herc (Eden, N.Y.) was the defensive standout for the Golden Flashes, posting a career-best 30 digs in the match, including 10 in the second set.
Freshman Morgan Semmelhack (Elmhurst, Ill.) also posted a career-high with 13 kills, nearly doubling her previous best of seven, while also totaling a career-high with four aces. Sophomore outside hitter Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola (Ellicott City, Md.) also reached double-figures kills for the Flashes with 10. Senior middle blocker Kathy Krupa (Burbank, Ill.) hit .500 for an efficient eight kills while freshman middle blocker Haley Schneider (Farmington Hills, Mich.) added seven kills.
Junior setter Aleksandra Nowak (Damnica, Poland) and sophomore Jenny Buczek (Orland Park, Ill.) shared setting duties for the Flashes. Nowak recorded a team-high 22 assists while Buczek had 20 assists. Nowak was also second on the team in digs with nine.
Despite just nine kills and a .071 hitting percentage in the opening set, the Flashes jumped out to a 14-8 lead to begin the match after an attack error by Western Michigan. The next nine points would go to the Broncos before Schneider scored on a kill assisted by Nowak. A kill by Western Michigan put them ahead 18-15, but the Flashes would rally for the next five points to take a 20-18 lead. Knotted at 21-21, the Broncos took four straight points to close the set.
Kent State's hitters found their rhythm in the next set, converting 21 kills and a .364 hitting percentage. Semmelhack led the way with eight kills in the set, followed by four apiece from Schneider and Aderemi-Ibitola. The Flashes looked to be in control of the set with A 23-19 lead, but the Broncos charged back to even the set after four straight points. Schneider ended the rally with a kill but the Broncos responded with a kill of their own to extend the set. On the ensuing point, it was Schneider again with a big swing to go on top, 25-24. Semmelhack sealed the deal on the next point with a kill from Buczek.
The third set was one of runs. Kent State trailed 13-12 in the third set before taking five consecutive points for a 17-13 advantage. The next eight points went to Western Michigan for a 21-17 lead that put them in control of the set. The Flashes would not get closer than three points and drop the set, 25-20.
The fourth set was the best for the Broncos, hitting .483 for 16 kills to seal the victory. It was back-and-forth to begin the set and the teams were tied 12-12 midway through. Western Michigan took the next three points, and 10 of the next 13, to pull away. The Flashes continued to battle, but the deficit was too much to overcome, falling 25-18.
Jessica Brown led the Broncos with 13 kills while Ali Gossen posted a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs. Terin Norris recorded match-highs with 43 assists and five aces. Lena Oliver posted 24 digs and Kaycee Acree added 14 digs for the Broncos.
Kent State returns to action Saturday (Oct. 20) night when it hosts Northern Illinois at 7 p.m. in the M.A.C. Center.
