The Kent State volleyball team (12-14, 5-7 Mid-American Conference) ended a pivitol five-game homestand with a victory over a sputtering Central Michigan (5-19, 2-10 MAC) squad in five sets.

The first set had several lead changes, with neither team finding any separation for much of the first half. The Flashes ended up winning, 25-21.

The second set was similar to the first one as it started out tied 10-10. The Flashes State led the rest of the way as it won, 25-21.

The third set was a different story, however, as the Chippewas jumped out to a 6-2 lead, eventually winning the set, 25-22.

Kent State came back to tie the fourth set at 17, but a late CMU run turned out to be the different, with the Chippewas winning the set, 25-23.

“It was probably our best win of the year. Our middles took risks and most of them worked as our girls stepped up and did enough to win,” coach Don Gromala said.

Central Michigan went up 6-5 in the fifth set, then the Flashes responded and closed it out, 15-10.

Freshman Alex Haffner contributed 35 assists and senior Sam Jones led the team with 19 digs. Senior Lexi Mantas had 15 digs and 14.5 points.

The Flashes travel to Buffalo on Friday at 6 p.m. 

Sean Blevins is a sports reporter. Contact him at [email protected].