Kent State University
16-13, 8-8MAC
Bowling Green State University
7-21, 4-12MAC
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
GOLDENFLASHESTV: Golden Flashes Celebrate Senior Night with 3-1 Win over Falcons
11/15/2014 10:17:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State sent its senior class out with a victory in its final home game, as the Golden Flashes defeated Bowling Green, 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 27-29, 25-20), Saturday night at the M.A.C. Center.
While the team's five-member senior class was honored following the match, it was a trio of juniors that starred in the victory. Middle blocker Bridget Wilhelm turned in a monster performance with a career-high 20 kills to lead the Flashes on offense. Wilhelm, who bettered her previous career mark by four kills, had a .447 hitting percentage and added three blocks. For the second night in a row, defensive specialist Sarah Mills recorded a career-high in digs, tallying 21 on Saturday. Opposite Kelly Hutchison had three kills in each set to join Wilhelm in double-figures with 12.
Three freshmen were also major contributors in making sure the team got the victory for the seniors. Setter Brittney Jakscht did a terrific job of setting up Kent State's hitter and finished with 53 assists. Defensively, Jakscht added nine digs and a team-high five blocks. Outside hitter Kelsey Bittinger just missed out on her fourth straight double-double, as she finished with a career-high 22 digs and 8 kills. Defensive specialist/libero Challen Geraghty chipped in 19 digs for the Flashes.
The senior class also played a large role in the victory. Middle blocker Liz Reikow posted nine kills and four blocks, increasing her record for blocks by a senior to 132. Defensive specialist Kaylee Koller had 11 digs for her fifth double-digit performance in the last six matches. Outside hitter Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola recorded six kills and outside hitter Lauren Engleman added four kills, all in the final set. Setter Jenny Buczek also made an appearance in her final match at the M.A.C. Center.
With the win, Kent State (16-13, 8-8 MAC) is guaranteed to record its first winning season since 2007, when the Flashes went 22-10. It is also the first time Kent State has finished at .500 or better in Mid-American Conference play.
Kent State enters next weekend's MAC Tournament, which will be played in in Athens, Ohio, as the No. 7 seed. The Golden Flashes will play Eastern Michigan in a first round match at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
