Kent State Drops Opener at Fullerton Classic

Friday, September 6

Fullerton, Calif.

4:30 p.m.

Kent State University

1-3

Cal State Fullerton University

2-2

Kent State

Cal State Fullerton

Photo by: David Dermer

Kent State Drops Opener at Fullerton Classic

9/6/2013 7:36:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif. –Kent State had a rough offensive outing in its opener of the Fullerton Classic Friday afternoon, falling 3-0 (20-25, 10-25, 19-25) to host Cal State Fullerton.

Sophomore opposite Kelly Hutchison and freshman outside hitter Bianca Cifaldi had seven kills each to lead the Golden Flashes' offense, which came alive a bit in the final set. The team's 12 kills in the third set nearly matched its total in the first two sets, as Kent State ended the match with a .082 hitting percentage.

Senior libero Hannah Herc had a team-high 14 digs to lead the defense, which had another solid performance in two of the three sets in this one.

The opening set was a back-and-forth defensive battle, as the Flashes allowed its opponent to hit just .062. After six ties and three lead changes, Cal State Fullerton scored three straight points to take a 19-17 lead, which they would not relinquish.

The Titans' attack was nearly flawless in the second set, posting 16 kills and just a single error on its way to opening a 20-7 lead. Kent State showed it would not go away quietly, recording three straight kills and forcing a Fullerton timeout. The Titans seized momentum with the stoppage and reeled off the next five points to take the set.

Kent State led early in the third set, 8-7, but lost 8 of the next 10 points. The Flashes got as close as three points at 22-19, but were unable to put up any more points.

The Golden Flashes will try to get back to .500 on the season with a pair of matches on Saturday. Kent State takes on Gardner-Webb at 1:30 p.m. and concludes against William & Mary at 7:30 p.m.