Kent State University
13-12, 5-7MAC
Central Michigan University
9-15, 4-8MAC
GOLDENFLASHESTV: Balanced Flashes Defeat Chippewas in Five-Set Thriller
11/1/2014 11:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – Senior Liz Reikow and freshman Brittney Jakscht combined for block to put away a pesky Central Michigan squad, 3-2 (26-24, 25-20, 19-25, 19-25, 15-13), in a thriller Friday night at the M.A.C. Center. After winning the first two sets, the Golden Flashes (13-12, 5-7 MAC) were pushed to five sets before earning the victory.
Kent State displayed great perseverance and once again made the plays that were needed with its back against the wall. Central Michigan appeared to take control of the match after winning sets three and four and then jumping out to a 5-2 lead in the decisive fifth. Senior Lauren Engleman started the Flashes' rally with a kill for a sideout. Tough serving by senior Kaylee Koller then allowed Kent State to surge ahead, 6-5. An attack error by the Chippewas gave the Flashes an 8-7 lead when the teams switched sides of the court.
A three-point rally then allowed CMU to regain the lead. After falling behind 13-13 on a service error, Kent State was finally able to put away the Chippewas. Another kill by Engleman tied the set and an ace by Koller put the Flashes ahead 15-14. That set the stage for Reikow and Jakscht to slam the door shut for the victory.
Offensively, Reikow led the way for Kent State with a match-high 15 kills and .429 hitting percentage. Engleman was just behind her with 14 kills and junior Bridget Wilhelm joined them in double-digits with 10 kills. Jakscht had a team-high 29 assists and added a career-high six kills. Senior Jenny Buczek handed out 16 assists in three sets of action.
Kent State totaled 13 blocks, its most in Mid-American Conference play this season. Six Flashes contributed to the blocking effort, led by seven blocks from Reikow. Wilhelm and junior opposite Kelly Hutchison added four blocks apiece.
The Flashes had a commanding 86-70 advantage in digs. Freshman Challen Geraghty tallied a team-high 19 digs, while Koller and junior Sarah Mills posted 15 digs each. Sophomore Maddie Moxley had a career-high 12 digs.
Kent State is back in action next weekend with a road trip to Buffalo on Friday and then a visit to James A. Rhodes Arena to take on the rival Akron Zips on Saturday.
