Kent State University
13-10,4-8MAC
Northern Illinois
14-8,7-5MAC
Flashes Post Friday Sweep Vs. NIU
10/28/2022 8:52:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State volleyball team started the weekend with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-20) win over Northern Illinois during Friday night's Dig for the Cure/Black Out Cancer match.
The Golden Flashes (13-10, 4-8 MAC) had four attackers total at least eight kills with a hitting percentage higher than .300 on the night. Graduate student Danie Tyson had a team-high 10 kills while hitting .450 and totaling eight blocks. Senior Morgan Copley finished with nine kills and a career-high eight digs. Freshman Mia Soerensen and fifth-year Lana Strejcek added eight kills apiece, and Soerensen matched her career-high with six blocks.
Graduate student Alex Haffner recorded 38 assists and set her teammates up for quality shots, resulting in a season-low six attack errors and a .345 hitting percentage.
Graduate student Erin Gardner anchored the back row with 17 digs, while junior Bryn Roberts contributed 10 digs, a kill on a back row attack and the first block of her career in a rare front row appearance.
How it Happened…
Set 1: The back-and-forth opening set featured 12 ties and four lead changes with a block by Mia Soerensen and Danie Tyson finally putting Kent State ahead for good, 18-17. The Golden Flashes also won the next five points. Following a sideout for Northern Illinois, a kill by Lana Strejcek and ace by Gracey Jarecke gave Kent State a 25-18 victory.
Set 2: Three players contributed at least three kills as the Flashes posted a .486 hitting percentage with 18 kills on 35 attempts. Tied at 16-16, NIU's only remaining point came on a service error by Kent State.
Set 3: Tyson, Strejcek and Soerensen provided kills for a 3-0 lead, but the Huskies fought back to go ahead 18-16. Tyson then took over with blocks on four consecutive points, beginning with a solo in the middle of the net and then teaming with Soerensen on the next three. Momentum appeared to swing in the favor of NIU after a service error and ace cut the guests' deficit to 22-20, but Soerensen ended the rally with an aggressive swing down the line. Jacoby Flynn followed with an ace and the Huskies sailed a shot beyond the end line to bring the match to an end.
Up Next for the Flashes
Kent State will attempt to complete an unbeaten weekend when it hosts Western Michigan on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
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