Kent State University
5-21 (3-14MAC)
Ohio
15-14 (9-6MAC)
Geraghty Collects Historic 2,400th at Ohio
11/9/2017 10:48:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
ATHENS, Ohio – Kent State senior Challen Geraghty placed her name in the NCAA Division I record as just the 26th player all-time to reach 2,400 career digs on Thursday during Kent State's match at Ohio.
Entering the night in need of just seven digs to join the exclusive group of defensive studs, Geraghty led all players with 19 digs as the Golden Flashes lost 3-0 (23-25, 23-25, 20-25). She now has 2,413 digs, which ranks 24th, and could climb another five spots before her career ends.
"This is a great accomplishment and a testament to her longevity," said head coach Don Gromala. "It's not easy to stay healthy for four years, but Challen has been out there for every set since she's been here. She's a competitor and know what you're going to get, which is why she's been at the libero spot the past four years."
Kent State (5-21, 3-12 MAC) continued its season-long trend of playing with its opponent up until the final few points of sets. The teams were fairly even on the stats sheet. Each team had 43 kills with the Bobcats holding an edge in hitting percentage, .202-.177. Ohio led in aces, 4-1, and had one less service error (6-5). Kent State held a 65-59 lead in digs, but the Bobcats had a 6-3 lead in blocks.
"Tonight was pretty similar to the last few matches with not being able to win the crucial points late in sets," Gromala said. "It was a really balanced match overall. They were a little off their game to start, and I thought we did some really good stuff to take advantage. When it came down to end of first set, they made some plays and we didn't. Then we got down in the second and third sets, but I really liked how our girls fought back."
Senior Kelsey Bittinger recorded her team-leading 13th double-double of the season with 12 kills and 13 digs. Sophomore Myla King had a strong match with 10 kills on 20 attempts with three errors for a .350 hitting percentage.
Making her first start since the second weekend of the season, senior Brittney Jakscht had a match-high 40 assists and added seven digs.
Kent State returns to action on Saturday at the M.A.C. Center against Eastern Michigan at 5 p.m. for Senior Day.
