Kent State University
0-1,0-0MAC
Delaware
1-1,0-0CAA
Flashes Volleyball Falls to Delaware in Season Opener
8/31/2024 4:57:00โฏPM | Women's Volleyball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. โ The Kent State volleyball team lost to Delaware, 3-0 (22-25, 11-25, 19-25), as the 2024 season started at the Michigan Nike Classic on Saturday.
For the second season opener in a row, the Golden Flashes (0-1) had nine players make their debut in Blue and Gold. Redshirt sophomore Liliana Mechura led the group of newcomers and totaled a team-high 7.5 points on five kills, three block assists and one ace. Junior Greta Bolognini led the back row with eight digs, while senior Chelsea Harvey got the start at setter and had 10 assists.
Junior Mackenzie McGuire posted a team-high six kills and junior Kendall White added 11 assists and seven digs to lead the returning Flashes.
How it Happenedโฆ
ย ย ย Set 1 (22-25): Mackenzie McGuire recorded a kill on the opening point and Kent State jumped out to a 5-1 lead that forced Delaware to call an early timeout. Four consecutive attack errors allowed the Blue Hens to take their first lead at 8-7, but Breanna Burrell halted momentum with her 944th career kill, and first in a Golden Flashes jersey. Kent State steadily built a four-point lead once again, 19-15, before Delaware scored four in a row to tie it. The Flashes went ahead 22-21 on an attack error but the Blue Hens answered with four in a row to take the first set.
ย ย ย Set 2 (11-25): After the teams split the first eight points, Delaware began to take over by taking four in a row. Kent State struggled to get the attack going and totaled six kills while committing nine errors in the set.
ย ย ย Set 3 (19-25): Neither team led by more than a point until Delaware won three straight to lead 10-7. Liliana Mechura stopped the run with a kill and strong serving by Hailey Brenner helped Kent State go ahead 11-10. Holding a 16-15 lead, the Blue Hens began to pull away with a 5-0 run. The Flashes continued to battle and won four of the next six points before Delaware took the set, 25-19.
Up Next for the Flashes
Kent State will play host Michigan twice on Saturday to finish opening weekend. The first match is scheduled for 11 a.m. and the rematch at 3 p.m. Both will be streamed on BTN+.
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