Kent State University
2-0
Nicholls
0-2
Flashes Sweep Pair of Foes on Opening Day
8/24/2018 9:44:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
DENTON, Texas – Kent State opened the season with a pair of 3-0 victories for the first time since 2007 by taking down Grambling State (25-18, 25-13, 25-19) and Nicholls (25-16, 25-19, 25-18) at the North Texas Invitational on Friday.
Despite several new faces in the lineup and a few veterans playing different positions, the Golden Flashes posted a .331 team hitting percentage. Six players averaged at least 1.00 kill per set with freshman Kathryn Ellison tallying a team-high 23 kills (3.83 per set) with an impressive .347 hitting percentage.
"We are definitely happy with today's results," said head coach Don Gromala. "We had to throw together a different lineup just a couple of days ago, and the team really handled that challenge well. I thought we did a great job of focusing on what we needed to do to beat our opponents and played complete games of volleyball."
The Flashes utilized a 6-2 system with senior Sam Jones starting in her first collegiate setting appearance. Jones tallied 29 assists and recorded three aces. Sophomore Natalie Tagala had 17 assists.
"Sam has been a great leader for this young group, and we are really happy that she performed well in a new role," Gromala said. "She stepped in at the libero position during our exhibition match and really played great. Sam had been waiting for a chance to play libero the past three years but approached today with the attitude that she is going to do whatever is best for the team, which is pretty neat."
Kent State held a decisive 16-5 blocking advantage on the day. Junior Myla King had a team-high seven blocks and freshman Danie Tyson recorded four stuffs. King was third on the team with nine kills and a .500 hitting percentage. Tyson hit .750 with six kills.
"Probably the biggest part of our success today was the play of our middles, both offensively and defensively," Gromala stated. "I thought they made some good choices attacking and did a great job of making plays as the center of our defense."
Freshman Erin Gardner led the Flashes with 11 digs and seven aces.
Kent State concludes opening weekend against host North Texas on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET. The Mean Green earned 3-0 victories against Nicholls, 3-0 and Northeastern in Friday's action.
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
