Flashes’ win streak snap as they drop final three sets against Robert Morris

Sophomore Kaeleigh Stang makes the bump during the match against Purdue Fort Wayne on Friday Aug. 31, 2018. Kent State lost the match.

Ian Kreider

It appeared the Kent State volleyball team (5-3) was on its way to its third win in as many games after the team dominated the first two sets against Robert Morris (1-6).

It appeared that the Flashes were going to sweep their way out of the North Athletic Complex Tuesday night after an impressive 25-14, 25-16 start. The team combined for 28 kills during the first two sets, while only mustering 22 kills combined over the final three sets.

Freshman outside hitter Kathryn Ellison finished with a team-high in three of the four offensive categories, finishing with 17.5 points. She was the only player on the team to finish with 10 or more kills (14). However, she also finished with a game-high seven errors.

Errors plagued Kent State in the final three sets with 19-of-23 errors coming during that stretch.

Service pressure was almost non-existent during the last three sets as the team had only four aces over the entirety of the game. The team is 0-3 in games where they have four aces or less thus far this season.

The team was outscored 65-49 over the final three sets, after outscoring Robert Morris 50-30 through the first two sets.

One positive takeaway was the play of freshman setter Alex Haffner. In her second game of the season Haffner recorded a team-high 20 assists.

The team will look to bounce back as they take on Rider (2-2) Friday, Sept. 7 in the first game of the La Salle Invitational in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 Ian Kreider is the sports editor. Contact him at [email protected]