Kent State University
12-14, 5-7MAC
Central Michigan
5-19, 2-10MAC
Flashes Take Down Chippewas in Five to End Homestand
10/27/2018 9:47:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State concluded a successful four-match homestand by defeating Central Michigan, 3-2 (25-21, 25-21, 22-25, 23-25, 15-10), Saturday at the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (12-14, 5-7 MAC) went 3-1 during the homestand and have won four of their last six matches overall.
After seeing its 2-0 lead disappear, Kent State regained its offensive rhythm in the fifth set to earn the victory. Five different Flashes combined for seven kills and a .462 hitting percentage in the decisive set, which also included three aces and a block.
"This was a huge win for our team," head coach Don Gromala said. "Because of all of the things that are on the line in terms of the conference standings, this is one of our biggest wins of the year. We won the first two sets and we battled back in the next two, but it was a little late. In the fifth set, we made some really clutch plays. It would have been nice to have those earlier, but people stepped up at the right time.
Kent State had a terrific blocking effort with 17 stuffs, matching the most during Gromala's seven-year tenure. Middle blockers Myla King and Danie Tyson led the way with six blocks apiece. Lexi Mantas posted a career-high five blocks. Amy Kober and Melissa Kolurbasi both added four blocks.
Erin Gardner tallied a match-high 28 digs to move into eighth on Kent State's single-season digs list with 466 so far in her freshman campaign. Sam Jones also played well in the back row and finished with 19 digs. The duo accounted for seven of the Flashes' nine aces, as Gardner had four and Jones had three to match her career-high.
Several players also contributed on the offensive side, as five Flashes finished with eight or more kills. Melissa Kolurbasi led the way with 13 kills and Danie Tyson was right behind with 12 kills. Lexi Mantas and Kathryn Ellison had nine kills apiece and Myla King posted eight kills.
Alex Haffner recorded her 11 double-double of the season with a team-high 35 assists to go with 16 digs. Natalie Tagala also saw action at setter and finished with 14 assists and six digs.
Kent State's final road trip of the regular season is up next, as the Flashes visit Buffalo on Friday, Nov. 2 and rival Akron on Saturday, Nov. 3.
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
