Kent State University
3-2,0-0MAC
Hofstra
3-2,0-0CAA
Flashes Drop Pair Friday at Fairfield Invitational
9/3/2021 10:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Kent State lost both of its matches Friday to begin the Fairfield Invitational, falling 3-1 to Hofstra and 3-0 to Fairfield.
The Golden Flashes (3-3) struggled to find a rhythm on offense and finished the day with a .185 hitting percentage. Kent State totaled 17 blocks over the seven sets to help limit the opposition to a .188 hitting percentage.
Match 1: Hofstra 3, Kent State 1 (23-25, 17-25, 25-19, 22-25)
Kent State was unable to overcome a slow start that resulted in a 0-2 deficit and fell in its tournament weekend.
A late five-point run, which was capped by kills from Melissa Kolurbasi, evened the first set at 23-23. A blocking error gave the next point to Hofstra, and the Pride followed with a kill to close the set.
The Golden Flashes never led in the second set and hit just .036 with nine kill and eight errors on 28 swings.
An 8-1 run turned a two-point deficit into a five-point lead late in the third set. A kill by Ainsley Guse allowed Kent State to take the set, 25-19, and extend the match. The Flashes limited Hofstra to eight kills while committing nine errors on 39 attempts for a -.026 hitting percentage.
Danie Tyson recorded a kill on three consecutive points to put Kent State ahead 16-9 in the fourth. After Hofstra rallied to take the lead, Kolurbasi answered with a kill and a ballhandling error gave the Flashes a 21-20 lead. The Pride won the next four points, however, and too the set 25-22.
Melissa Kolurbasi led the attack with 12 kills and Morgan Copley was right behind with 11. Alex Haffner notched a double-double with 37 assists and 11 digs.
Kent State totaled 11 blocks. Copley matched her career-high with six blocks, while Ainsley Guse and Danie Tyson added five each. Gracey Jarecke had a team-high 14 digs. Bryn Roberts (12) and Savannah Matthews (10) joined her in double-digits.
Match 2: Fairfield 3, Kent State 0 (19-25, 22-25-, 22-25)
The Flashes were unable to win the pivotal points late in sets and fell in straight sets to the host Stags.
A 10-2 to end the opening set, which had 12 ties and four lead changes, allowed Fairfield to win 25-19 and take a 1-0 lead.
Melissa Kolurbasi contributed four kills as part of a 6-1 run that tied the second set at 15-15. A ballhandling error by the hosts once again evened the score, 20-20, but Fairfield won four of the next five points before taking the set 25-22.
After trailing by as many as seven points, Kent State fought back to get within 21-20 on a block by Alex Haffner and Danie Tyson. The Flashes fell short of completing the comeback and lost the third set 25-22.
Melissa Kolurbasi totaled a team-high 14 kills. Savannah Matthews (11 kills, 11 digs) and Alex Haffner (27 assists, 10 digs) tallied double-doubles.
Up Next
Kent State will play its final contest at the Fairfield Invitational at 11 a.m. on Saturday against Seton Hall.
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