Kent State University
12-13,5-8MAC
Ohio
14-12,6-7MAC
Flashes Drop Close Sets in Loss to Ohio
11/7/2019 9:27:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
ATHENS, Ohio – Kent State served for set point in each of the final two sets Thursday night inside of the Convocation Center but was unable to score the critical points necessary during a 3-0 loss (15-25, 27-29, 26-28) to Ohio.
The Golden Flashes (12-13, 5-8 MAC) were led by senior Ashley Makruski, who posted 13 kills and a .364 hitting percentage. Redshirt sophomore Alex Haffner totaled 40 assists, seven digs and six kills.
Kent State had a strong start to the match and led 8-4. However, the Bobcats took back momentum with an 8-1 run and never looked back in the 25-15 victory.
The Flashes opened the second set by hitting .563 in taking a 16-8 lead that forced Ohio to take timeout. Kent State seemed to be on its way to tying the match with a 21-12 lead, but the Bobcats scored nine in a row to pull even. An attack error gave the Flashes a much-needed side out, but Ohio would score three of the ensuing four points for the first of two set points that were thwarted by KSU. Kills by Ashley Makruski and Myla King put the Flashes ahead 26-25, the Bobcats answered with four of the next five points to put the set away.
The back-and-forth third set featured 22 ties and six lead changes. Makruski held off match point opportunities with a pair of kills, and Kent State took a 26-25 lead on a kill by Morgan Copley. Unfortunately, the Flashes followed with service, attack and setting errors on the next three points to fall, 28-26.
Junior Kaleigh Stang led the defense with 12 digs and sophomore Erin Gardner added eight digs.
Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center to host Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 9 following a five-match road swing.
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
