Kent State University
6-6
Santa Clara
5-6
Volleyball Downed by Santa Clara, 3-1
9/14/2018 7:52:00โฏPM | Women's Volleyball
Box Score (pdf)ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. โ The Kent State volleyball team lost its opening match at the Bulldog Brawl, 3-1 (21-25, 25-22, 23-25, 14-25), to Santa Clara on Friday afternoon.
The Golden Flashes (6-6) made some strong swings to start the match and posted 16 kills and a .325 hitting percentage in the first set. However, Kent State's hitting percentage dropped each set and finished the match at .181.
Freshman Kathryn Ellison posted a team-high 11 kills and added 10 digs for her seventh double-double. Redshirt freshman Alex Haffner registered her fourth straight double-double with a career-high 20 digs and 40 assists.
Kent State fell behind 7-3 early but fought back to take a 17-16 lead and force Santa Clara to call timeout. A service error when play resumed started a 3-0 run that put the Broncos ahead for good, as they went on to take the set, 25-21. Ellison, senior Darby Connors and freshman Danie Tyson were key to the Flashes' offensive success, combining for 10 kills and no errors in the set.
Although Kent State managed just nine kills in the second set, the offense was able to deliver late to tie the match. In aย competitive set that included 11 ties and four lead changes, a kill by senior Amy Kober and attack error put the Flashes ahead for good at 22-20. Santa Clara had two chances to tie the set, but Kent State answered both times and finished the set on a kill by Connors.
The Flashes stormed back to tie the third set after falling behind 7-1. The Broncos answered with three straight points and led by as many as four before taking it, 25-23.
Kent State was able to stay within a few points for the first half of set four, but Santa Clara was able to put together a 9-1 run to close out the victory.
Freshman Erin Gardner led the defense with 27 digs. Junior Myla King totaled five stuffs at the net to help Kent State hold a 7-6 blocking advantage.
Kent State is back in action at the Bulldog Brawl on Saturday. The Flashes will playย Cleveland State at 1 p.m. and the host Bulldogs at 7 p.m.
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