Kent State University
7-9, 0-4MAC
Central Michigan
14-2, 4-0MAC
Strong Start Not Enough in Loss at First-Place CMU
10/5/2019 10:43:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Kent State's offense was stellar in the opening set but was unable to maintain its high efficiency in a 3-1 (25-23, 19-25, 23-25, 16-25) loss at Central Michigan on Saturday night.
The Golden Flashes (7-9, 0-4 MAC) stunned the host Chippewas, which had won their previous eight matches, by posting a .459 hitting percentage in a 25-23 opening set victory. Kent State totaled 21 kills in the set, as Morgan Copley, Savannah Matthews and Ashley Makruski had five detonations apiece. The set featured 16 ties and eight lead changes with neither team being able to gain more than a two-point separation. With the Flashes leading 24-23, Melissa Kolurbasi was able to find an open spot on the court to end the set.
The offense stalled in the second start with attack errors piling up and allowing Central Michigan to take a 7-2 lead without registering a single kill. Makruski got the Flashes within 21-18 on her sixth kill of the match, but attack errors on the next two points allowed some breathing room for the hosts, who took the set 25-19.
Following 10 ties and five lead changes in the third, CMU clung to a 15-14 lead. However, Kent State would commit attack errors on the next three points and trail by four. The Flashes fought back to even the score 21-21 before the Chippewas scored three of four points and went on to win the set 25-23, and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Just as it had done in the second set, Kent State faced an early 7-2 deficit in the fourth. This time, the Flashes were unable to get closer than four points and dropped the set 25-16.
Sophomore Melissa Kolurbasi led all players with 15 kills. Senior Ashley Makruski added 11 kills and freshman Morgan Copley was right behind with 10. Copley also had a match-high four blocks.
Junior Natalie Tagala led the Flashes with 23 assists and tallied 13 digs for her fifth double-double of the season. Redshirt sophomore Alex Haffner now has a team-high eight double-doubles after posting 17 assists and 10 digs.
Sophomore Erin Gardner led the defense with 21 digs and freshman Savannah Matthews added 16 digs.
Kent State will play Mid-American Conference road matches next weekend at Buffalo and rival Akron.
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
