Kent State University
5-4
Rider
3-2
Comeback Falls Short Despite Kober’s Career Match
9/7/2018 10:31:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – A valiant effort fell just short as Kent State lost to Rider, 3-2 (20-25, 16-25, 25-5, 30-28, 13-15), in the first match at the La Salle Invitational on Friday.
Senior Amy Kober nearly doubled her previous career-high with a match-high 19 kills on a .419 hitting percentage to lead the comeback effort. Redshirt freshman Alex Haffner had her best match as a Golden Flash with 42 assists and 16 digs. Freshman Kathryn Ellison posted 12 kills and 10 digs for her fourth double-double.
The Golden Flashes (5-4) regrouped in a big after dropping their fifth consecutive set dating back to Wednesday's five-setter at Robert Morris, jumping out to a 17-1 lead behind a strong service run by freshman Erin Gardner. Rider did not record a kill, block or ace in the set and had nine attack errors on 34 attempts for a -.265 hitting percentage.
Kent State scored the first four points before an attack error made it 4-1. The Flashes then ripped off an incredible 13-point scoring run to steal momentum in the match. Sophomore Kaeleigh Stang and freshman Danie Tyson both made key contributions off the bench. Stang tallied eight digs in the set, while Tyson recorded four kills and two total blocks.
The Flashes managed to stave off match point twice in the fourth set, which featured 16 ties and 10 lead changes. Kober gave Kent State the first opportunity to win the set with a kill that made it 24-23. After trading the next two points, Rider scored back-to-back points to go ahead, 26-25. Ellison delivered a huge kill and the Broncs followed with an attack error to give the Flashes the lead again. Rider came back with two points in a row, but another kill by Ellison extended the set. Following an attack error by Rider, Kober's seventh kill of the set made it 30-28 in favor of the Flashes and sent the match to a winner-take-all fifth set.
Rider scored two points to open the fifth before a kill by Kober and ace by Darby Connors tied it at 2-2. Rider was able to answer with three straight points and was able to maintain the lead the rest of the way. However, Kent State battled until the final point. Facing a 14-11 deficit, the Flashes forced an attack error by All-MAAC First Team right side hitter Hailey Riede and then blocked Riede to get within 14-13. Riede was finally able to get a good swing on the next point to end the comeback bid.
Senior Darby Connors had 13 kills to join Kober and Ellison in double-figures. Freshman Danie Tyson posted eight kills over the final three sets. Ellison and Tyson shared the team lead with three total blocks.
Five players tallied double-digit digs to help the Flashes to a season-high 97. Senior Sam Jones led the way with a season-high 19 digs. Freshman Erin Gardner added 14 digs and sophomore Kaeleigh Stang matched her career-high with 10 digs. Connors and Kober also boasted a career-high with seven digs each.
Kent State is back in action at the La Salle Invitational on Saturday. The Flashes will play the host Explorers t 10:30 a.m. and NJIT at 5 p.m.
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
