Kent State University
10-12, 4-5MAC
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Western Michigan University
13-9, 6-3MAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent State | 20 | 16 | 20 | 0 |
| Western Michigan | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Offensive Struggles Lead to 3-0 Setback for Golden Flashes
10/25/2013 9:32:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Kent State volleyball headed on the road aiming to return to its winning ways as the second half of Mid-American Conference play commenced Friday night, but Western Michigan was an unwelcoming host and defeated the Golden Flashes in straight sets (20-25, 16-25, 20-25).
"We did some pretty good things defensively and just never got in the flow on the offensive side," said head coach Don Gromala. "We're not going to beat a good team like Western Michigan hitting the percentage that we did."
Kent State (10-12, 4-5) equaled the Broncos with 43 digs, led by senior Hannah Herc's 15. Junior Kaylee Koller contributed nine digs and sophomore Sarah Mills added eight.
The opening set was highly competitive and featured seven ties and three lead changes. Trailing 20-18, the Flashes recorded four consecutive attack errors that proved to be the difference.
"We were passing really well early on," Gromala said. "I think that was the biggest thing. We did have one little bad streak, but overall we passed well enough to win. We've got to find ways to score points."
Senior Aleksandra Nowak had 24 assists. Kent State was led by its middles on offense for the third straight match as junior Liz Reikow and sophomore Bridget Wilhelm had seven kills apiece.
Juniors Lauren Engleman and Jenny Buczek gave the Flashes solid contributions coming off the bench in the third set. Engleman posted kills on all four swings she took and added a pair of digs, while Buczek recorded six assists and helped the Flashes outscore the Broncos 7-6 while she was in the match.
Kent State will be back in action at Northern Illinois Saturday evening in a contest scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
