The Kent State volleyball team (7-9) dropped its first two conference games as it fell to Ohio and Eastern Michigan this weekend.

Ohio 3, Kent State 1

The Flashes lost a tough four-setter on the road against Ohio (6-8) in their first conference game of the season.

Ohio started the first set up, 7-4, but the Flashes battled back to tie it, 14-14. A few points later when the score was knotted at 18, Kent State scored three in a row and eventually closed it out 25-21.

Kent State fell behind quickly again in the second set, 6-1. The Flashes struck back and closed within one point as they trailed, 14-13. The Bobcats then scored nine in a row as they won the set, 25-16.

Kent State started the third set up, 5-2. Ohio then quickly took a 7-6 lead. The Flashes stormed back to take another lead, 15-14, with the help of its inside hitters. Ohio scored the last six points in the set to take a commanding 2-1 lead. 

The Flashes opened up the fourth set with a 14-9 lead before the Bobcats scored five consecutive points to tie it and snatch the momentum back. Ohio eventually pulled away, 25-20, to win a hard-fought match.

Amy Kober, Kathryn Ellison and Danie Tyson led the Flashes with 10 kills each, while Alex Haffner led them with 35 assists.

Eastern Michigan 3, Kent State 0

Eastern Michigan (10-6) started off the first set up, 6-2, and controlled the rest of it, taking the win, 25-19.

After Kent State scored the first point of the second set, Eastern Michigan took over and didn’t trail the rest of the way as it triumphed, 25-20.

The Flashes jumped out to an 8-5 lead, but the Eagles recovered and took the lead back halfway through in the final set. Eastern Michigan scored six of the last seven points to take the match in straight sets.

Ashley Makrusi led the Flashes with 10 kills. Heffner added 27 assists, while Ellison had 20 digs.

Kent State finally returns home this weekend to face Akron at 6 p.m. Friday and Buffalo at 5 p.m. Saturday.

“I think the team is excited to be back at the M.A.C. Center and play in front of our great fans,” coach Don Gromala said.

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