Kent State University
6-4,0-0MAC
Cleveland State
3-7,0-0Horizon
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland St. | 21 | 17 | 25 | 20 | 1 |
| Kent St. | 25 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 3 |
Volleyball Beats Cleveland State in Home Opener, 3-1
9/17/2026 9:48:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio – A stifling defensive performance allowed Kent State to beat Cleveland State, 3-1 (25-21, 25-17, 20-25, 25-20) during Thursday night's home opener at the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (6-4) totaled a season-high 10 blocks and held their third consecutive opponent below .200, as the Vikings posted a .092 hitting percentage. Redshirt junior Adalynn Ginley led the block party with eight blocks to match her career-high, while three teammates contributed multiple stuffs.
Kent State started strong and led 15-10 at the first media timeout. CSU won the next six points and nine of the next 11 to lead by two before a service error provided an opportunity for the Flashes to make a comeback. Senior Christina Vigil then evened it with an ace and Ginley and freshman Ashley Verhey put Kent State back in the lead. After an attack error by the Vikings, Ginley contributed to another block, this time with sophomore Macie Moreland, for a 23-20 advantage. CSU won two of the next three points before Ginley closed the set with a solo block.
Junior Nadia Miller was unstoppable in the second set with five kills on just seven swings as the Flashes overcame a three-point deficit for the largest set victory of the night.
Kent State seemed determined to complete the sweep and overcame a seven-point deficit with a 10-2 run, but CSU answered by winning eight of the next nine points for a 24-20 lead. A service error extended the set and Ginley followed with a solo block before the Flashes' seventh service error of the set sent the match to the fourth.
Senior Mercedez Brown set the tone in the fourth with kills for each of Kent State's first four points. Brown added three more in the set and finished with a match-high 12 kills.
Verhey had her best match in a Flashes uniform and hit .364 with nine kills, the most in her brief college career.
Junior Lesley Furuta led the back row with 17 digs. Vigil contributed 15 digs and 35 assists for her first double-double of the season. Junior Hailey Brenner recorded 12 digs to reach double-figures for the third time in the past four matches.
Kent State finishes non-league action on Friday with a short trip to Youngstown State. First serve from Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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