Kent State University
9-3,0-1MAC
Bowling Green
6-6,1-0MAC
Flashes Fall in MAC Volleyball Opener
9/23/2022 9:28:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State came out on the short end of a Mid-American Conference East Division battle with preseason favorite Bowling Green on Friday night, falling 3-1 (8-25, 21-25, 26-24, 26-28) inside of the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (9-3, 0-1 MAC) had three players post a double-double. Graduate student Alex Haffner registered 26 digs and 11 assists, senior Savannah Matthews totaled a team-high 13 kills and 11 digs and freshman Mackenzie McGuire added 11 kills and 12 digs. Graduate student Danie Tyson just missed joining them and finished with nine kills and a season-best nine blocks.
Graduate student Erin Gardner led the back row with 20 digs.
How it Happened…
Set 1: A 12-point scoring run allowed Bowling Green to pull away in the opening set. The Falcons posted 12 kills on 28 errorless swings for a .429 hitting percentage. Erin Gardner made plays all over the court and tallied nine digs.
Set 2: Kent State led by three early but trailed 15-11 at the media break. The Flashes were unable to score consecutive points again until back-to-back kills by Mia Soerensen made it 21-17. BG answered with three in a row and Kent State denied three set point opportunities before a kill finally gave a Falcons a 2-0 lead.
Set 3: In a set that included 14 ties and nine lead changes, Kent State went ahead 22-21 on a kill by Savannah Matthews. The Falcons won the next three points to get within one of a sweep, but the Flashes refused to allow that to happen. Matthews recorded another kill and Kasidy Blumenthal tied it with an ace. An aggressive swing by setter Kiersten Kraus gave Kent State the lead, and Kraus was then joined by Danie Tyson for a huge stuff at the net for the 26-24 victory.
Set 4: The Flashes maintained momentum and won the first four points in the set. BG countered with a 10-3 run to take the lead, but Kent State battled back and went ahead 22-21 following kills by Savannah Matthews and Danie Tyson. The Falcons reached 24 points first again, but Matthews extended it with a kill and Kent State led 25-24 after Tyson and Mackenzie McGuire teamed for a block. An attack error allowed BG to tie it up before McGuire answered with a kill. The Falcons took the next three points to earn the victory.
Up Next for the Flashes
Kent State seeks a split with Bowling Green when the teams meet again on Saturday afternoon. First serve from the M.A.C. Center is scheduled for 4 p.m. and fans can stream the match on ESPN3.
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