Kent State’s volleyball team took on Miami (5-15) at home, securing its first Mid-American Conference win of the season.
KSU got out to a quick start on Friday, getting out to a 10-1 lead. Both teams went back and forth before the Flashes continued to pull away and did not look back.
Kent State won the first set convincingly 25-12 after an attacking error by Miami to close it out.
The second set was much more even and more back-and-forth point scoring for both sides.
Freshman outside hitter Logan Henderson had an impressive showing, tallying eight kills in the match.
The RedHawks could scrape back and remain close behind the Flashes for most of the second set, but Kent remained in control by building a 20-12 lead.
Miami would go on a big run of their own as well towards the end of the set, but again, KSU remained on top and won the set 25-22, going up 2-0 in the match.
In the third and final set, KSU started with a 6-0 run and took the lead early.
They remained on top throughout and continued to put pressure on the RedHawks.
Sophomore outside hitter Mackenzie McGuire continued her dominant season, logging four kills in the third set and 15 total kills in the match.
Kent State finished the third and final set, winning 25-17 and sweeping the match 3-0.
This is Kent’s first sweep of the season, and this win also snapped an eight-game losing streak.
“I think it shows the potential that we have,” coach Haley Eckerman said. “It goes to show when we know the scouting report, we can have real success.”
Game Two
The second match was more even in comparison to Friday’s.
It was a close match, with the score being 11-11 at one point in the first set.
As both teams were making progress on one another, they would both go on small runs to keep each team in the match.
The RedHawks ended the first set on an 8-4 run against the Flashes and won the first set 25-21.
The second set was a grueling matchup.
At one point, Kent State had a 14-7 lead. The team continued to apply pressure, but Miami went on a massive 15-3 run to make the score 24-22.
As both teams fought for the game point, they went back and forth, with both teams tied at 25.
KSU held on and took the second set with a 28-26 win, evening the sets at 1-1.
Miami primarily controlled the next two sets.
The RedHawks started the set on an 8-1 run.
This also put them ahead for the remainder of the set and won 25-19, taking the lead on the sets at 2-1.
In the final set, Kent went on a 5-1 run to make the score in their favor 10-9.
Towards the end, KSU had a 22-18 lead.
Miami would then go on an 8-2 run and close out the final set, winning 26-24 and winning the match 3-1 on sets.
“I think they capitalized off of our errors and went on runs,” Eckerman said.
Up Next
The Flashes will travel to Bowling Green, facing off against the Falcons Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m.
BGSU sits at 8-11 overall and is in third place in the MAC East division at 2-6.
KSU has lost six consecutive games to the Falcons and is 6-22 all-time.
Ethan Madden is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
