Kent State University
7-5
Niagara
1-9
Flashes Beat Niagara in Five Sets
9/21/2019 4:47:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – Outstanding offensive performances from several players lifted Kent State past Niagara, 3-2 (25-13, 24-26, 23-25, 25-17, 15-9), in Saturday afternoon's non-conference finale at M.A.C. Center, which was part of this weekend's Golden-Viking Invitational co-hosted with Cleveland State.
The Golden Flashes (7-5) hit .331 and totaled 76 kills, the most in more than four years, as five players reached double-figures. Sophomore Danie Tyson led the way with 17 kills and a season-best .615 hitting percentage. Senior Ashley Makruski matched her career-high with 16 kills and hit at a solid .359 clip from the pin. Both players earned a spot on the all-tournament team.
Freshmen Morgan Copley and Savannah Matthews tallied 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Senior Myla King had her best match of the season with 10 kills and a .571 hitting percentage.
"This was an interesting match. When you control the hitting stat like we did, which is usually one of most important parts, you expect that it won't go five sets," said head coach Don Gromala. "Our middles played great offensively, and that was a big part of our success on offense. Our setters did a really good job of putting them in good positions to score."
Junior Natalie Tagala and redshirt sophomore Alex Haffner each posted a double-double while splitting setter duties as part of Kent State's 6-2 offense. Starting for the second night in a row, Tagala had a season-best 39 assists and career-best 21 digs. Haffner added 27 assists and 13 digs.
The Flashes' defense held Niagara to a .130 hitting percentage. Sophomore Erin Gardner tied for the team-high with 21 digs. Matthews registered 18 digs for her fifth double-double.
Kent State will play its first three Mid-American Conference matches at the M.A.C. Center, beginning with matchups against 2018 co-regular season champions Miami (Sept. 27) and Bowling Green (Sept. 28) next weekend.
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