Kent State University
6-7, 0-1MAC
Miami University (OH)
9-5, 1-0MAC
Flashes Fall Short in MAC Opener
9/25/2015 10:14:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – A rough start to the fifth set cost Kent State in a 3-2 (25-16, 22-25, 23-25, 25-22, 9-15) loss to Miami on Friday evening at the M.A.C. Center. The Golden Flashes (6-7, 0-1 MAC) hoped to make a statement against a RedHawks squad picked to finish ahead of them in the Mid-American Conference East Division, but came up just short in the conference opener for both teams
Outside hitter Kelsey Bittinger continued her stellar sophomore campaign and led the Flashes with 22 kills, while adding 12 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. Bittinger was errorless with 21 kills on 42 swings heading into the final set. Opposite Kelly Hutchison (17 kills and 16 digs) and setter Katarina Kojic (51 assists and 10 digs) also recorded double-doubles. Kojic had a career-high four aces for the second match in a row.
Kent State held a 92-70 lead in digs. Libero Challen Geraghty led five Flashes in double-figures with 32 digs. Defensive specialist Sam Jones added 13 digs. Middle blocker Bridget Wilhelm had a match-high eight blocks.
Miami found its rhythm offensively with four kills to open the final set. Middle blocker Drew Norberg put the Flashes on the board, but an attack error on the ensuing point gave the RedHawks a 6-1 lead and forced timeout to be called. Following a block by Kojic and Wilhelm that capped a 6-2 run and cut the deficit to 9-8, the Flashes committed several errors to aid Miami in finishing the match.
Kent State will look for its first conference win of the season when it hosts Bowling Green at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Fans will receive free admission by presenting their ticket from the Kent State football team's game vs. Marshall Saturday afternoon.
