Kent State University
14-12, 6-7MAC
University at Buffalo
14-13, 4-9MAC
Bittinger’s Career Night Lifts Flashes to Five-Set Victory at Buffalo
11/7/2014 10:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
AMHERST, N.Y. – Kent State earned a critical win in its quest to secure a Mid-American Conference Tournament berth Friday night, defeating Buffalo on the road in a 3-2 thriller (25-23, 18-25, 25-21, 23-25, 17-15). The Golden Flashes improved to 5-2 in five-set matches and earned their second road win in conference play.
"Playing on the road in the MAC is never easy, and I am happy we found a way to come away with a win tonight," said head coach Don Gromala. "It was a good match. We executed the game plan well early and Buffalo made some good adjustments. Going in, we expected a battle and told the team that it was going to be grueling."
For the second consecutive match, Kent State (14-12, 6-7 MAC) was able to come out on top after its opponent sent the match to a fifth set. After falling behind 2-0 in the decisive set, freshmen Kelsey Bittinger delivered a kill to give the Flashes a crucial sideout. Tough serving by senior Kaylee Koller, who finished with a career-high five service aces, helped Kent State surge ahead for a 7-2 lead. The hosts responded with a 9-3 run to retake the lead. The Bulls took their final lead at 14-13, but an attack error on the ensuing point gave the Flashes another chance.
Senior Liz Reikow found an open spot on the floor for a kill to put Kent State ahead, 15-14. The Flashes' then served out-of-bounds to give the Bulls life. Bittinger then put Kent State back ahead with a kill to put the pressure back on Buffalo. Another attack error by the Bulls on the next point clinched victory for the Flashes.
"Each team made runs in the fifth set, and I think our outside hitters were the difference in the end," said Gromala. "There were some longer points and Buffalo made some errors attempting to come up with a big swing. Our outsides did a nice job of keeping the ball in play and giving us a chance to score on those points."
A trio of freshmen led the way for Kent State. Libero Challen Geraghty made plays all over the floor and finished with a career-high 31 digs. Geraghty was also perfect in 29 serve-receive chances. Setter Brittney Jakscht handed out 51 assists, her highest total season the beginning of the MAC season, and tallied 12 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. Bittinger smashed a career-high 25 kills to lead all players while adding 13 digs for her eighth double-double of the season. She began the night with eight kills in the first set and finished strong with five kills in the fifth set.
"Kelsey started the night on fire and really did a nice job of moving around her swings," Gromala said. "That made it hard for Buffalo to defend her."
The Flashes posted 67 kills, their most in conference play this year. Senior Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola had 14 kills and Reikow was also in double-figures with 12 kills. Reikow's partner in the middle, junior Bridget Wilhelm, added eight kills.
Kent State did a nice job of keeping balls off the floor, totaling 94 digs and 11 blocks on the night. Koller and junior Sarah Mills tallied 14 digs apiece to give the Flashes five players in double-figures, while Reikow had a team-best six blocks. Freshman Heather Younkin, who made her first start, totaled career-bests of five kills, three digs and three block assists.
Buffalo outside hitter Tahleia Bishop, who entered the matchup averaging a MAC-leading 4.33 kills per set was held to just 15 kills and a .148 hitting percentage.
"She's a very talented player and can do some things athletically that few players in this conference can do," said Gromala. "We mixed up our block against her. Heather's job was to get touches on the block and she did a good job of that tonight. I also thought we served tough and that kept them out of system and helped to slow her down."
Kent State is back in action Saturday with a 5 p.m. contest at rival Akron. The winner of the match will receive a half-point in this year's PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge standings, which Kent State currently leads, 2.5-1.0.
