Kent State University
6-1,6-1MAC
Eastern Michigan
2-3,2-3MAC
Kent State Drops Five-Setter to Eastern Michigan
2/15/2021 9:13:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State rallied to force a fifth set but suffered its first loss of the season, 3-2 (11-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-19, 8-15), to Eastern Michigan on Monday night.
The Golden Flashes (6-1) have rarely trailed a match this season, losing just three sets total entering the night's contest, but responded well after falling behind 0-2. The defense made great adjustments to hold the Eagles to a .100 hitting percentage combined during the third and fourth sets. Kent State's momentum did not carry into the decisive fifth, however, and the visiting team scored the first five points and led by as many as eight points en route to the victory.
Sophomore Savannah Matthews posted the Flashes' first 20-20 performance since 2016 with a team-high 20 kills and season-high 20 digs. Matthews also matched her career-high with three total blocks.
Sophomore Morgan Copley caught fire in the third and fourth sets, posting 10 kills and a .450 hitting percentage to help extend the match. Copley finished with 13 kills. Sophomore Taylor Heberle registered her first double-double with 10 kills and career-high 11 digs. Redshirt junior Alex Haffner totaled 52 assists and 13 digs for her third straight double-double.
Junior Erin Gardner tallied a season-high 26 digs. Freshman Amelia Perdue took advantage of her opportunity off the bench and had 19 digs over the final four sets. Juniors Lana Strejcek and Danie Tyson led a strong blocking effort with six blocks and five blocks, respectively.
Kent State is scheduled to travel to Toledo for matches on Thursday, February 18 and Friday, February 19.
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
