Kent State University
0-1
Rutgers University
1-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers | 26 | 25 | 27 | 3 |
| Kent State | 24 | 20 | 25 | 0 |
Volleyball Falls to Rutgers in Season Opener
8/30/2013 9:39:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Kent State volleyball team competed well but ultimately fell in its season opener to Rutgers, 3-0 (24-26, 20-25, 25-27), Friday in the opening match of the Indiana Invitational at University Gymnasium.
Sophomore opposite Kelly Hutchison led the Golden Flashes (0-1) with eight kills, 10 digs and three service aces. Junior middle blocker Liz Reikow totaled seven kills and a team-high six blocks. Senior setter Aleksandra Nowak collected a match-high 26 assists and added eight digs.
"I think we overall had a pretty steady game," said head coach Don Gromala. "Defensively, we got a lot of blocks and did a good job of defending out of system. Liz had a great match. She created some opportunities for us offensively and did a good job of being available in transition and count attack. She was solid on both sides of the ball and did her job for the team. "
All three sets were highly competitive, as the match feature 29 ties and 14 lead changes. The Golden Flashes held an early 12-11 lead, but the Scarlet Knights (1-0) rallied with an 8-2 run to regain the lead. Kent State responded with an 8-0 run of its own, fueled by four kills from junior outside hitter/opposite Lauren Engleman and two aces by Hutchison to go on top 22-19. The Flashes dropped four of the next five points, but freshman outside hitter Bianca Cifaldi registered a kill to put them within a point of capturing the opening set at 24-23. Rutgers then responded with a kill to knot it at 24-all and back-to-back attack errors by the Flashes allowed the Scarlet Knights to take the first set. It was a fitting way for the set to conclude, as Kent State recorded 11 attack errors compared to just 10 kills for Rutgers.
"We just didn't take care of the ball offensively and serving, and that was the difference," said Gromala, whose team finished the match with 12 service errors. "We didn't really have any kind of a rhythm. I didn't think we passed that bad, but when our hitters had chances, we weren't putting balls away."
The Flashes had their chance in the second set and held a 16-14 lead after a kill by Reikow. Rutgers reeled off six consecutive points and 9 of the next 10 to take control of the set. Facing a 24-18 hole, Hutchison and Engleman recorded back-to-back kills, but a service error gave Rutgers a 2-0 lead.
Kent State fell behind 13-9 in the third set before rallying to even it at 14-all, only for Rutgers to score the next four points. Facing match point, a Rutgers attack error followed a kill from Engleman to even the score at 24-all. Needing to win by two points, the Scarlet Knights struck first, but the Flashes countered with a Bridget Wilhelm kill to knot it up again. Rutgers used a kill and service ace to take the next two points and the match.
"Our girls did a great job of fighting back when we were trailing," said Gromala. "I think that shows that our girls have a lot of fight. We've always done that. It came down to little things at critical points."
Kent State looks to bounce back Saturday as the Indiana Invitational continues with a 9:30 a.m. match against Robert Morris. The Golden Flashes close out their first weekend of competition at 7 p.m. against host Indiana. Live audio from the finale will be available on IUHoosiers.com.
