Kent State University
10-11, 3-6MAC
Northern Illinois
7-16, 4-5MAC
Kent State Offense Shines in Weekend Opener
10/25/2019 9:57:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
DEKALB, Ill. – Despite hitting at a season-best .350 clip, the Kent State volleyball team dropped its opening match of the weekend to Northern Illinois, 3-1 (24-26, 25-19, 19-25, 18-25) at Victor E. Court in DeKalb on Friday night.
The Golden Flashes (10-11, 3-6 MAC) totaled 65 kills to the Huskies' 52 but struggles with serving (14 errors) and first contact (10 reception errors) were the difference in the contest.
Freshman Savannah Matthews posted a match-high 17 kills and hit a .371 hitting percentage. Senior Ashley Makruski added 15 kills and hit at a .344 clip. Freshman Morgan Copley joined them in double-figures with 13 kills, while sophomore Danie Tyson hit .500 and had nine kills. Redshirt sophomore Alex Haffner directed the offense and tallied 50 assists.
Kent State led by as many as five points midway through the opening set, but Northern Illinois went on a 12-6 run to force extra points and won, 26-24. The Flashes rolled in the second for their only set victory of the match, 25-19. The Huskies took the next two sets following intermission, 25-19 and 25-18.
Sophomore Erin Gardner led the defense with 16 digs and Kaleigh Stang registered 10 digs. Tyson recorded a team-best three blocks.
Kent State remains on the road for a tilt against Western Michigan on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
