Kent State University
12-17, 6-10MAC
Eastern Michigan University
16-15, 6-10MAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Michigan | 21 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Kent State | 25 | 22 | 7 | 15 | 1 |
Volleyball Heads into MAC Tournament with 3-1 Loss to Eastern Michigan on Senior Night
11/16/2013 10:35:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State was unable to send its two seniors out with a win in the last home match of their careers, falling in four sets to Eastern Michigan Saturday night at the M.A.C. Center (25-21, 22-25, 7-25, 15-25). The Golden Flashes will open play in the 2013 Mid-American Conference Tournament at noon on Friday against top-seeded Ohio at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva.
After a terrific team performance in the opening set, Kent State (12-17, 6-10) appeared on its way to earning the No. 7 seed. Led by 13 digs from senior libero Hannah Herc and five blocks from junior middle blocker Liz Reikow, the Flashes held Eastern Michigan to a .083 attack percentage in the set. Trailing 13-12, the Flashes used tough serving from sophomore middle blocker Bridget Wilhelm to score seven consecutive points and gain control of the set.
Kent State could not get anything going offensively the rest of the way, however. The Flashes totaled just nine kills in the second set, but nine attack errors by the Eagles helped keep the set close throughout. They finished the night with a .049 attack percentage, as Reikow and junior outside hitter Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola led the way with nine kills each. Senior setter Aleksandra Nowak tallied 31 assists in the final home match of her career.
Herc, the other senior on Kent State's roster, was terrific in the back row and finished with 27 digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Sarah Mills added 17 digs in a solid defensive performance for the Flashes.
Kent State will look to regroup heading into the postseason. The Golden Flashes, who will be appearing the MAC Tournament for the first time since the conference changed its format entering the 2011 season, will play regular season champion Ohio for the third time this year. The Flashes split the first two matchups this season.
