Kent State University
4-14,0-7MAC
Northern Illinois
6-12,4-2MAC
Flashes Drop Three-Setter to Huskies
10/6/2023 8:20:00β―PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio β The Kent State volleyball team fell to Northern Illinois, 3-0 (19-25, 19-25, 15-25), Friday night at the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (4-14, 0-7 MAC) struggled to slow the Huskies' attack, which hit above .400 in all three sets and finished with a season-best .439 hitting percentage.
Sophomore Mackenzie McGuire led Kent State with 10 kills and senior Karina Salinas was close behind with eight. Freshman Lily King totaled a team-high 20 assists.
Senior Bryn Roberts tallied 14 digs to lead the Flashes' defense.
How it Happenedβ¦
Β Β Β Set 1 (19-25): After 14 ties and five lead changes, NIU took a 15-14 lead going into the media timeout. Kent State committed a ballhandling error on the next point for the first multi-point margin of the night but then got within 16-15 on a kill by Mackenzie McGuire. The Huskies scored the next four points and closed with a 9-4Β run.
Β Β Β Set 2 (19-25): The Flashes led 2-1 before NIU went ahead for good by winning five in a row. The deficit was trimmed to two, 14-12, on a kill by Emma Schroeder but the Huskies answered with a 4-0 run and led by as many as eight points en route to a 2-0 lead in the match.
Β Β Β Set 3 (15-25): Back-to-back service aces for the Huskies, their first of the night, helped the guests open with a 7-2 lead. Kent State was able to stay within four points until NIU posted blocks onΒ three of five points as part of a 6-2 run to help pull away.
Up Next for the Flashes
Kent State continues a four-match homestand at the M.A.C. Center by hosting Miami on Oct. 13-14.
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