Kent State University
9-2,0-0MAC
Youngstown State
6-5,0-0Horizon
Volleyball Extends Win Streak to Six in Five-Setter at YSU
9/16/2022 9:12:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Kent State dominated the fifth set to earn a hard-fought 3-2 (22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 16-25, 15-7) win at Youngstown State to close non-league action on Friday.
Winners of six in a row, the Golden Flashes (9-2) have the most victories entering Mid-American Conference play since 2008.
Senior Savannah Matthews had a big night with a season-high 20 kills and 18 digs. Graduate student Danie Tyson matched her season-high with 13 kills while hitting at a .591 clip and totaling four blocks. Freshman Mackenzie McGuire also had 13 kills. Graduate student Alex Haffner registered 54 assists while running an attack that hit .274 as a team.
Graduate student Erin Gardner led all players with 28 digs. Junior Bryn Roberts tallied 12 digs.
How it Happened…
Set 1: Kent State trailed 15-12 at the media timeout before trimming the deficit to a point on kills by Savannah Matthews and Mia Soerensen. Three straight attack errors followed, and Youngstown State took it largest lead of the set, 18-14. The Golden Flashes were able to tie it at 19-19 before once again falling behind by four and dropping the opener, 25-22.
Set 2: After the teams split the first 18 points, the Flashes began to gain separation and built a 21-15 lead. YSU made a run to get within 22-20 and force timeout to be called. Matthews put an end to it with kills on all three points following the timeout.
Set 3: Kent State trailed by as many as four points midway through the set but fought to pull even at 21-21. The teams exchanged service errors before kills by Alex Haffner and Danie Tyson gave the Flashes a set point opportunity. Bryn Roberts then brought the set to an end with a sinking serve for an ace.
Set 4: The Flashes got within 5-4 after dropping the first three points, but YSU found a rhythm offensively to pull away. The Penguins recorded a .343 hitting percentage with 14 kills and only two errors in the set.
Set 5: A kill by Lana Strejcek and YSU attack error gave Kent State a 2-0 lead that it refused to surrender. The Flashes posted 11 kills on 19 errorless swings for a dominant 15-7 victory in the decisive set.
Up Next for the Flashes
Kent State will begin conference play at the M.A.C. Center next week against MAC East Division favorite Bowling Green. Both matches will be broadcast on ESPN3.
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