Kent State University
1-4,0-0MAC
Iowa
3-2,0-0Big Ten
Flashes Push Iowa to Five Sets
9/2/2023 10:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CORALVILLE, Iowa – The Kent State volleyball team fell to host Iowa, 3-2 (25-22, 23-25, 25-22, 18-25, 7-15) in a FRYfest Invitational match at Xtream Arena on Saturday night.
The Golden Flashes (1-4) led 2-1 but were unable to close out the program's first win against a Big Ten opponent since 1979, as the Hawkeyes post a .429 hitting percentage over the final two sets.
Senior Karina Salinas led Kent State's attack with a career-best 18 kills. Freshman Logan Henderson added a career-high 14 kills and hit at a .423 clip. Sophomore Kendall White totaled 37 assists.
Senior Bryn Roberts tallied 21 digs to lead the back row on defense and freshman Bri Brathol added a career-best 19 digs. Redshirt senior Kiana Mack totaled six blocks.
How it Happened…
Set 1: Logan Henderson gave Kent State a 2-0 lead with a kill and ace to start the match. Iowa was able to tie it four times during the set but the Flashes always had an answer and never trailed. Henderson's fourth kill of the night put Kent State ahead for good, 20-19, and a kill by Burgundy Walters a few points later secured the 25-22 victory.
Set 2: The Flashes led 2-0 again on a solo block by Walters and a Hawkeyes attack error. Iowa took its first lead of the night at 17-16 but Kent State reached 20 first on an ace by Bryn Roberts. The Hawkeyes answered with a 3-0 run and went on to take the set 25-23.
Set 3: Kent State dominated early and won the first nine points of the set. The lead reached as many as 15 before Iowa used a couple of long service runs to get within 24-22. Emma Schroeder and Walters then teamed for a block to deny the comeback effort.
Set 4: With it tied 11-11, Iowa scored seven in a row to take control and force a fifth set.
Set 5: Back-to-back kills by Schroeder and another by Kiana Mack put the Flashes ahead 4-2. The Hawkeyes went ahead 6-5 before Henderson tied it with a kill. Iowa took the next seven points and closed with a 9-1 run to remain unbeaten at home.
Up Next for the Flashes
Kent State will conclude weekend action at the FRYfest Invitational on Sunday against Middle Tennessee. First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET.
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