The Kent State Golden Flashes volleyball team finished the fifth annual Kent State Mizuno Classic with a 1-2 record over the weekend. The team’s lone win came in dominant fashion over the Saint Francis Red Flash in three sets.

The Golden Flashes’ two defeats were handed to them by tournament runner-ups Liberty in a five set thriller, and its second loss was to the Mizuno Classic champion Marshall in three sets.

“I think it was a so-so weekend for us,” first-year head coach Don Gromala said. “The first two weekends of the season we started off average, but got better as the weekend progressed. This weekend we really leveled off. We didn’t play our best volleyball our last match against Marshall.”

Despite the 1-2 record, Gromala said he believes that this tournament will be beneficial for the team in the remainder of the season.

“This competition is really going to help us out for the MAC,” Gromala said. “Liberty is the defending Big South champions and Marshall plays in the Conference USA, which is a really strong conference. I think playing this caliber of teams will really help us out.”

Sophomore outside hitter Tinuke Aderemi–Ibitola was one of the bright spots for the Flashes as she earned all-tournament honors.

The team will be traveling to Indiana to participate in the Butler Invitational in their last tune-up before opening up the MAC season at Miami Sept. 21.

The Flashes will play three games this weekend starting Friday against UC Davis, and concluding Saturday against Southern Missouri State and the tournament host, Butler.

The team will return home to the M.A.C. Center Sept. 29 against Mid-American Conference foe Central Michigan.

Contact Drew Jones at [email protected].