Kent State volleyball went 1-2 this weekend at the Golden Grizzlies Invitational in Rochester, Michigan. 

Kent State (2-9) was defeated in straight sets, 3-0 (21-25, 17-25, 10-25), to start off the weekend against Oakland (5-7) on Friday.

The Flashes held a lead in the first set until Oakland tied the game at 20 and came back to win 25-21. 

“We came out with a really strong first set,” coach Don Gromala said. “It’s happened a couple times now during our first sets our offense is coming together and really clicking.”

The Flashes took on undefeated Towson (14-0) and were, again, defeated in straight sets, 3-0 (25-10, 26-24, 25-20).

“We started showing a little bit of a fight that we’ve been looking for in the team” Gromala said. 

Senior Challen Geraghty led the team with 28 digs. Sophomore Myla King led with eight kills out of the teams 26.

Kent State came back Saturday night to end their seven game losing streak by defeating Fort Wayne (8-7) 3-2. 

“It was a tight match,” Gromala said. “I think us and Fort Wayne were matched up very similarly. We served very strategically and defensively we were solid.”

Junior Lexi Mantas led the team with 22 digs while Kelsey Bittinger led with 20 kills.

“She has some blocking experience as well for us,” Gromala said on Mantas’ performance. “Offensively, we weren’t expecting her to do as well as she did in the first set. We’re still trying to get everyone healthy.”

Kent State is set to play Akron at 7 p.m. on Friday in Akron, Ohio.

Taylor Sforzo is a sports reporter. Contact her at [email protected].