At the Michigan Nike Classic, the Kent State Volleyball team dropped all sets to the Delaware Blue Hens (25-22, 25-11, 25-19), losing 3-0. Errors were the big issue for the Flashes, as they committed 25 to Delaware’s 17 during the game. 

Following the head-to-head match with Delaware was a two game set Sunday against the Michigan Wolverines, as the team played in a three-game tournament Saturday-Sunday.

The Flashes dropped all three sets in game one (26-24, 25-16, 25-17) but saw a slight turn in game two, taking their first set win of the 2024 campaign during the second set (25-18, 25-12, 25-22, 25-14), The team ultimately lost 3-1. 

With the losses, KSU fell to 0-3 on the season, and it is one of two teams without a win in the Mid-American Conference, making them the last team in the conference. This is the second season in a row the Flashes started a season 0-3.

Errors and ball control were serious issues for the Flashes over the weekend.

At one point during the third set of game one against Michigan, KSU committed eight unforced attack errors, securing the win for the Wolverines.

An unforced error occurs when a player hits the ball against the net or out of bounds.

Coach Haley Eckerman, after her team’s disappointing weekend series, is considering “either a 5-1 or 6-2,” change schematically. A 5-1 scheme is situated as three players closest to the net, two behind them and one behind the pair. A 6-2 scheme is situated as four players closest to the net and two behind the row.

Despite these shortcomings, the Flashes displayed determination and grit on several occasions this weekend, with most sets being determined by two-four points.

The Flashes look to turn their season around this weekend with three contests in the Seton Hall Classic.

The first game will be against the New Jersey Institute of Technology Friday at noon, the second game played against Sacred Heart University Saturday at noon and the final game facing Seton Hall Sunday at 11 a.m.