Kent State University
12-12, 4-7MAC
Ohio University
18-4, 11-0MAC
GOLDENFLASHESTV: Volleyball Comes Up Short in Four-Set Battle with Ohio
10/30/2014 10:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State challenged first-place Ohio Thursday night but was unable to defeat the Bobcats at the M.A.C. Center for the second straight year. The Golden Flashes lost 3-1 (22-25, 16-25, 27-25, 22-25) but used a strong third-set performance to avoid being swept at home for this first time this season. Kent State is now 12-12 overall and 4-7 in Mid-American Conference play, while Ohio improves to 18-4 overall and 11-0 in the conference.
While Kent State's attack had its struggles, the defense was steady throughout the night and helped keep the match close. The Flashes held a 78-76 advantage in digs and an 8-7 advantage in blocks against a squad that led the MAC in both categories entering the night. Freshman libero Challen Geraghty led all players with 28 digs, which is just one off her career-high, and senior defensive specialist Kaylee Koller matched her season-high with 15 digs. Freshman setter Brittney Jakscht led Kent State with four blocks.
The setting of Jakscht, who finished with 44 assists, played a crucial role in the Flashes taking the third set. After heading into the intermission with just 14 assists, Jakscht handed out 19 in the set, which saw Kent State record a .359 hitting percentage.
Kent State had a balanced offense, which was led by freshman outside hitter Kelsey Bittinger Although she was unable to play in the final, Bittinger totaled a team-high 11 kills. Junior middle blocker Bridget Wilhelm joined her in double-digits, including six kills in the third-set victory. Senior outside hitter Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola posted nine kills, while junior opposite Kelly Hutchison and senior middle blocker Liz Reikow added seven kills apiece.
Despite a slow start, the Flashes had a chance to win the opening set of the match. Kent State totaled just seven kills in the set, but limited its mistakes. While Ohio had 17 kills, it also had eight attack errors and six service errors to award free points to the Flashes. The Flashes came back from a five-point deficit to tie the set at 21-21 following back-to-back attack errors by Ohio's Jaime Kosiorek. Following a timeout, Kosiorek redeemed herself with back-to-back kills. Kent State came right back with a kill by Reikow, but Kosiorek finished the Flashes off with a kill and an ace to give Ohio the first set, 25-22.
The second set featured jus one tie and Kent State trailed for its duration. Ohio led by as many as 10 points and outhit the Flashes, .364 to .053.
Just as it did last Friday against Northern Illinois, Kent State played its best out of the intermission. The third set featured 17 ties and five lead changes, as neither team led by more than a point until the end after Kent State led 14-12. Ohio regained momentum with back-to-back kills to take a 23-22 lead, but a service ace following a timeout evened the set. A kill by Bittinger ensued and gave the Flashes hope. After two unsuccessful serves for match point, Aderemi-Ibitola brought it to a close with a kill and solo block.
The fourth set saw Kent State rally from as many as five points behind to take a 21-20 lead following a kill by Wilhelm. Ohio responded with three straight points before Jakscht halted the run with a kill to cut the deficit to 23-22. The Flashes were out of comebacks, however, as the Bobcats won the next two points to take the set, 25-22.
Kent State is back in action at the M.A.C. Center on Saturday at 7 p.m. against Central Michigan.
