Kent State University
8-2
Youngstown State University
9-3
Kent State Tops Youngstown State in Five-Set Thriller
9/16/2014 10:28:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – Behind a career-high 22 kills from senior outside hitter/opposite Lauren Engleman, Kent State held off Youngstown State, 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 25-21, 23-25, 15-12), Tuesday night at the M.A.C. Center. The match was close throughout and featured 26 ties and 13 lead changes.
Kent State (8-2) totaled a season-best 70 kills and featured three players in double-figures. Engleman followed her strong play from the weekend with a career night. The senior, who finished with a .341 attack percentage, started slow with just five kills in the first two sets before heating up for 15 kills in sets three and four. Senior outside hitter Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola had 17 kills and junior opposite Kelly Hutchison added 11 kills. Freshman setter Brittney Jakscht handed out a career-high 62 assists in the victory. Jakscht added three kills on seven attempts for a .429 attack percentage.
After dropping a back-and-forth opening set that featured 11 ties and six lead changes, Kent State was able to shift momentum to its side by winning the next two sets. The Flashes started slow in the fourth and trailed by as much as five early in the set. Determined not to play five for the second straight match, Kent State rallied to go ahead 21-20. However, the Penguins were able to come back and take the set, 25-23.
Youngstown State struck first in the decisive fifth set. Kent State responded with five kills, including three from Aderemi-Ibitola, to take a 5-2 lead that it would not relinquish. The Flashes maintained their margin and led 8-5 when the teams switched sides. Aderemi-Ibitola's fifth kill of the set gave the Flashes an opportunity to serve for match point, but YSU stayed alive with a kill. It would not last, however, as Engleman put the match away with a kill on the next point.
Kent State had another strong blocking performance with 12 stuffs. Senior middle blocker Liz Reikow had a team-high seven blocks. Jakscht and Engleman added three blocks each.
The Flashes out-dug the Penguins, 86-77. Freshman defensive specialist/libero Challen Geraghty led four players in double-figures with 23 digs. Junior Sarah Mills had 14 digs and senior Kaylee Koller added 13 digs. Sophomore Maddie Moxley took advantage of an her playing time and recorded a career-high 10 digs.
Kent State concludes its non-conference schedule with a trip to Towson for three matches at the Tiger Invitational on Friday and Saturday (Sept. 19-20).
