Kent State University
12-7,3-5MAC
Akron
5-15,2-7MAC
Tyson Joins 1,000 Kills Club in Saturday Rivalry Matchup
10/15/2022 8:18:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – Graduate student Danie Tyson recorded her 1,000th career kill Saturday afternoon as Kent State lost each set by just two points in a 3-0 setback against Akron (25-27, 24-26, 23-25), as the rivals split the weekend series and earned a half-point each in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge.
Tyson, the program's all-time hitting percentage leader, is the 16th Golden Flash to reach the 1,000-kill milestone. The middle blocker finished with six kills and team-high four blocks.
Kent State (12-7, 3-5 MAC) was led offensively by senior Savannah Matthews and freshman Mackenzie McGuire, who had 11 kills apiece. Graduate student Alex Haffner had a team-high 17 assists and sophomore Kiersten Kraus added 16 assists and three aces.
The Flashes held the Zips to a .180 hitting percentage and totaled 10 blocks, their most in a three-setter this season. Graduate student Erin Gardner led the back row with 12 digs and Matthews tallied 10.
The competitive match featured 30 ties and 13 lead changes. Kent State had opportunities to score set point in both the first and second and led 23-20 in set three but was unable to earn the critical points needed to be victorious.
How it Happened…
   Set 1: Trailing 24-23, Mackenzie McGuire delivered a physical swing off the block for a kill. McGuire followed with a strong serve that was returned over the net for Danie Tyson to put away. Following a timeout, the Zips won three points in a row for their first set victory of the weekend.
   Set 2: Four early aces helped Akron take a 13-7 lead. It grew to seven before Kent State battled back to take a 24-23 lead, but the Zips were able to get a sideout and went back ahead with an ace before winning a long rally with a kill.
   Set 3: A great service run by Kiersten Kraus turned the Flashes' two-point deficit into a 13-8 lead. After falling behind by two again, Kent State took a 23-20 advantage on a kill by McGuire. Akron then took the next five points to close the match.
Up Next for the Flashes
Kent State will remain at the M.A.C. Center, hosting Ohio on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. heading to Buffalo for two matches to conclude a stretch of five contests in eight days.
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