Kent State University
17-13
Eastern Michigan University
18-13
Kent State Volleyball Tops Eastern Michigan to Advance in MAC Tournament
11/22/2014 12:10:00โฏAM | Women's Volleyball
ATHENS, Ohio โ The Kent State volleyball team has grown accustomed to playing in tight sets, which prepared the team for its opening round match at the Mid-American Conference Volleyball Championship Friday night. The 7th-seeded Golden Flashes made just enough plays to get past 6th-seeded Eastern Michigan, 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 26-24, 25-22).
For Kent State (17-13), it is the programs first win in tournament play since 2007 when it won two matches to advance to the semifinals. It did not come easy, however, as all four matches were decided by three points or fewer.
An outstanding defensive effort helped Kent State get the victory. The Flashes totaled a season-high 122 ย digs and added 10 blocks. Freshman defensive specialist/libero Challen Geraghty led all players with a career-high 39 digs. Junior Sarah Mills (20), freshmanย Brittney Jakschtย (18),ย freshman Kelsey Bittinger (17)ย and senior Kaylee Koller (14) joined Geraghty to give the Flashes five players with double-digit digs.
Kent State had eight players contribute to the team's blocking effort. Senior Liz Reikow continued her superb senior season with a team-high seven blocks. Junior Bridget Wilhelmย and senior Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola added three blocks each.
Aderemi-Ibitola and Reikow, who were named to the All-MAC Second Team on Thursday, led Kent State on offense. Aderemi-Ibitola tied for the match lead with 16 kills, while Reikow added 12 kills. Bittinger was close behind with nine kills for the Flashes. Freshman Brittney Jakscht handed out 44 assists in the victory.
Kent State advances to the quarterfinals to play No. 3 seed Miami on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
