The Kent State volleyball team lost all three of its sets to the Cleveland State Vikings (25-15, 25-23, 25-18) on its way to its eighth loss of the season Thursday. KSU is now 1-8 on the year.
The Vikings had an answer for everything the Flashes attempted on offense. Cleveland State earned a higher hitting percentage (.286) than the Flashes (.190), and the Vikings committed fewer errors than the Flashes (14-12).
“(I’m) feeling obviously frustrated,” coach Haley Eckerman said.
The Flashes opened the first set in a 3-0 hole but battled enough to keep the score within two. The Vikings then went on a 9-4 run to make a 19-12 lead for Cleveland State, and KSU dropped the first set of the night.
The Flashes had a large momentum swing go their way during the second set when Eckerman won her second coach’s challenge. The team was unable to keep the momentum and ultimately dropped the set 25-23.
The Vikings continued to assert their presence in the third set. Cleveland State opened on a 5-0 run and led the entire set, as the Flashes would lose the last set of the night 25-18.
The Flashes were without junior setter Kendall White and freshman outside hitter Avrey Rigney due to illness.
Senior outside hitter Karina Salinas led the team with 12 kills, with junior outside hitter Mackenzie McGuire and senior setter Chelsea Harvey contributing 12 and eight kills, respectively.
Eckerman won three of four coach’s challenges, swinging three points in her team’s favor.
“We have the talent to be a really good team,” Eckerman said. “I just don’t think we have the confidence right now.”
Junior libero and McCook transfer Greta Bolognini had an exciting home debut, posting 19 digs.
“We had a pretty good defense, not just me, but the back row as well,” Bolognini said.
With these 19 digs, Bolognini furthered her team-leading total of 126 digs on the year.
Thursday’s game against Cleveland State was the final regular season home game against a non-conference opponent.
“I’m definitely (excited),” Bolognini said. “I’m not sure what to expect.”
The Flashes were seeking to unlock a certain attitude against Cleveland State. Several players for KSU were seen barking and howling from the bench when points went their way.
Eckerman would prefer the Flashes to keep that same energy from start to finish.
“We have to start it sooner than later,” she said. “We can’t wait until we’re down 5-0.”
With the Flashes heading into Mid-American Conference play, Eckerman will look to settle her team down at this crucial point in the season.
Eckerman is excited about “playing at home more and playing the same team on back to back games to get us settled,” as conference play is about to begin.
“You’re in a boxing match and you don’t wanna get hit first,” Eckerman said. The Flashes will look to land the first blows against conference opponents, with their first conference game coming Thursday against the Eastern Michigan Eagles.
With the loss to Cleveland State, the Flashes remain at the bottom of the MAC standings.
“Go in as a warrior, this is a battle and a fight,” Eckerman said.
The Flashes will go back on the road and take on the Youngstown State Penguins Friday at 6 p.m.
“We really wanna ring that bell,” Bolognini said.
Gage Wellman is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
