The Flashes and the Orange matched each other’s every move, switching the lead back and forth throughout the game. Kent State took the first match, 25-23, but a zero hitting percentage in the second contributed to a 25-16 loss and tied the game up at one a piece.

A 25-22 win in the third put the Flashes up 2-1 heading into the fourth with a chance to hand Syracuse its first loss of the season.

Kent State led 23-19, but a time out helped the Orange fight its way back into the game and take the set, 29-27. Syracuse went on to beat the Flashes in the fifth, 15-10.

A dominating 20-kill performance by junior middle blocker Liva Brivule was enough to help the Flashes (7-8) push the Orange (16-0) to the edge. Junior outside hitter Maigan Larsen added another solid performance to her season with 13 kills, but she said individual success means nothing if the team doesn’t win.

“Volleyball is the biggest team sport,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if you have one good person. You’re not winning if you’re team is not all in it together and not working hard. Everyone has to give their all, everyone has to put in the effort and everyone has to play a good game.”

Larsen said it means a lot that her team was able to play a strong game against Syracuse, but the end result is the only thing that’s important.

“If you don’t win, it doesn’t mean anything,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how good you play against that good team. We have to get back in the gym because we didn’t win.”

Kent State coach Glen Conley said his team has to finish games, and it can’t make crucial errors because doing so builds the other team’s confidence.

“I believe we’re as good or better than (Syracuse),” he said. “I feel pretty lousy because getting a good team on the ropes doesn’t cut it. Just a little loss of focus when you’re playing a good team, and you lose. That’s sports.”

Kent State defeated Louisiana Monroe earlier Saturday afternoon in straight sets (27-25, 25-13, 25-15). Brivule’s 11 kills and 11 digs gave her a double-double, and senior Kristen Barr added 13 digs to help the Flashes sweep the Warhawks.

Kent State lost its first match of the weekend against Duquesne, 3-1 (25-22, 19-25, 26-28, 18-25). Once again, Brivule led the team with a season-high 22 kills. After recently changing positions to become a setter, senior Lauren Jones tallied a double-double with 40 assists and 18 digs.

The Flashes open Mid-American Conference play this Thursday with a trip to Ohio to take on the Bobcats.

Contact Tom Crilley at [email protected].