Coach said team lacked intensity against Bobcats

Dana Beveridge | Daily Kent Stater Senior setter Jenny Keck sets the ball during last night’s match against Ohio at the M.A.C. Center. The Flashes lost 3-0.

Credit: DKS Editors

After a heated first set against Ohio yesterday, Kent State coach Glen Conley

said a lack of intensity in the following

two sets caused the volleyball team to drop the match.

Kent State (11-14, 4-7 Mid-American Conference) fell to Ohio (18-5.10-1 MAC) for the second time this season, 29-27, 25-18 and 25-14 in the M.A.C. Center.

“In game one we played with the intensity that is necessary to compete at a high level, and in games two and three we didn’t,” Conley said. “I just know (the intensity) definitely dropped. Why it dropped, I don’t know.”

Freshman outside hitter Meredith Paskert said the Flashes came out to face Ohio with a whole new game plan. The Flashes changed their previous defensive strategy and adjusted to Ohio’s strong blocking skills with sets high off the net.

“Everyone had to swing higher off the block instead of down into the block,” Paskert said. “We practiced it all week.”

Paskert said the adjustments worked in the first set, and the Flashes kept up until the team’s energy fell.

“We started out really pumped and confident,” Paskert said. “Then it was really easy to keep up with (Ohio). Once we let our heads hang, then (it changed).”

After tying 21-21 in the first set, the Flashes arrived at set point first at 24-23. After Ohio rallied to tie the Flashes again 24-24, Kent State fought through seven more set points before an attack error ended the first set 29-27.

“(There was) a good defense on both sides,” freshman setter Zuzana Markova said. “In the first set we did a good job, in the other two games (we) did not.”

Paskert said the team did not play as confidently in the second and third sets.

“I think sometimes we’d get scared and lose a couple points in a row, and then we’d have to make up for it,” Paskert said. “Sometimes

we didn’t (make up for it), so we just fell behind.”

Conley said the Flashes would work on team intensity for their next match against Central Michigan.

“It’s something we’re working on all the time,” Conley said.

Kent State continues MAC play against Central Michigan at 7 p.m. on Saturday in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

“I’m sure the crowd will be crazy,” Conley said. “I expect a huge crowd.”

Contact sports reporter AshleySepanski at [email protected].