Kent State University
4-11,0-4MAC
Akron
7-7,2-1MAC
McGuire and Schroeder Lead Flashes in Rivalry Setback
9/28/2023 8:20:00โฏPM | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, Ohio โ Sophomores Mackenzie McGuire and Emma Schroeder combined for 27 kills and a .359 hitting percentage as Kent State dropped a Mid-American Conference match to rival Akron, 3-0 (18-25, 20-25, 27-29), on Thursday.
The Golden Flashes (4-11, 0-4 MAC) hit .213 as team, the second highest mark this season. McGuire was able to score from both the pin and back row to lead all players with 16 kills on 30 swings. Schroeder added a career-high 11 kills and hit at a .391 clip.
Senior Bryn Roberts led the defense with a match-high 17 digs.
How it Happenedโฆ
ย ย ย Set 1 (18-25): Kent State started strong and led 7-2 before the Zips scored five in a row to pull even. The teams traded leads over the next few points before Akron pulled away with a 9-0 run that was aided by four unblocked attack errors by the Golden Flashes.
ย ย ย Set 2 (20-25): Neither team led by more than two until Akron went ahead 17-14. Kent State was able to get within a point at 19-18 on a kill by Mackenzie McGuire, but followed with a service error and ballhandling error to help the Zips pull away late.
ย ย ย Set 3 (27-29): The Flashes showed fire and scored the first five points in the third set. The lead reached eight points, but the Zips battled back to go ahead 23-22. A service error on the first match point opportunity made it 24-24 and Burgundy Walters gave Kent State the lead with a kill on the ensuing point. Akron won the next two points to retake the lead, but McGuire kept the Flashes alive with back-to-back kills. The Zips then took the next three points to close it out.
Up Next for the Flashes
Kent State will attempt to split the rivalry series on Friday with a rematch at Akron scheduled for 6 p.m.
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