Kent State University
9-4,9-4MAC
Miami
6-6,6-6MAC
Roberts’ Career-High 30 Digs Leads Kent State Against Miami
3/5/2021 10:12:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – Freshman Bryn Roberts tallied 30 digs, but Kent State was unable to complete the two-match sweep of visiting Miami, falling 3-1 (26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-27) at the Basketball and Development Center on Friday.
Roberts, who wore the libero jersey to start the match for just the second time, had the fifth-most digs in a four-setter by a freshman this season.
The Golden Flashes (9-4) received double-double performances from sophomore Savannah Matthews and redshirt junior Alex Haffner. Matthews had a match-high 15 kills and added 14 digs, while Haffner recorded 45 assists and 11 digs. Sophomore Morgan Copley and junior Melissa Kolurbasi added 11 kills apiece.
Kent State posted a .326 hitting percentage to win a competitive first set, 26-24. A kill by Copley gave the Flashes a 24-23 lead, but the RedHawks answered with a kill to extend the set. Maluhia Ma'a made a diving play to keep the ensuing serve off the ground and sent it back over the net, where a miscommunication allowed it to fall to the floor. An attack error on the next point gave the set to Kent State.
The Flashes also played from behind most of the second set and were able to tie it at 23-23. They were unable to repeat their success in closing out this time, as Miami recorded kills on the next two points to even the match.
The RedHawks posted a .478 hitting percentage and led wire-to-wire before taking set three, 25-17.
Miami led 5-1 in the fourth before a terrific service run by Bryn Roberts helped Kent State go ahead 8-5. The match seemed like it was headed to a fifth set following an ace by Alex Haffner that gave the Flashes a 23-20 lead. The RedHawks scored the next four points to take the lead. Kent State staved off two match points, but an overpass that led to a kill allowed the visitors to take the set, 27-25, and leave with a series split.
Kent State is scheduled to play two matches at Ball State next week on Thursday, March 11 and Friday, March 12.
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