Kent State University
11-6,2-4MAC
Eastern Michigan
1-17,0-6MAC
Flashes Earn Key MAC Sweep at EMU
10/8/2022 7:20:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Kent State volleyball team defeated host Eastern Michigan, 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-23) in a Mid-American Conference matchup Saturday afternoon.
For the second straight contest, senior Savannah Matthews led the Golden Flashes (11-6, 2-4 MAC) with 10 kills and 15 digs. Freshman Sadie Wright added five kills on 10 errorless attempts and a team-high four total blocks. Graduate student Alex Haffner recorded 25 assists and added nine digs. Graduate student Erin Gardner tallied 15 digs to share the team lead with Matthews.
Execution from behind the service line made the difference in the match, as Kent State led 6-3 in aces and the Eagles led 15-3 in errors.
How it Happened…
Set 1: Gracey Jarecke's six-point service run put Kent State ahead for good and sparked a 12-6 run to end the opening set. Savannah Matthews displayed her versatility with four kills and nine digs.
Set 2: An 8-1 run gave the Golden Flashes a late four-point lead. Eastern Michigan got within 22-21 before an untimely service error was followed by a kill from Matthews. The Eagles got a kill on the ensuing point for a sideout, but Sadie Wright put the set away from a strong swing.
Set 3: Kent State fought back from a deficit that reached as many as six points to tie it twice, but EMU answered with three straight points to lead 21-18. Attack errors by the Eagles on the next two points were following by a block by Alex Haffner and Wright to tie it up. Kasidy Blumenthal gave the Flashes the lead with an ace and Wright added another kill to make it 23-21. After the Eagles tied it up again, Matthews recorded a kill off the fingertips of the block and Wright came through with a solo stuff in the middle of the net to secure the victory.
Up Next for the Flashes
After two straight weekends on the road, Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center to host rival Akron on Friday, Oct. 14 and Saturday, Oct. 15 in a pair of Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge contests.
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