Volleyball ends season with disappointing loss

Josh Johnston

Disappointment for the Kent State volleyball team continued right up to its last match of the season.

The Flashes (13-18, 3-13 Mid-American Conference) extended their losing streak to 11 matches after a 25-16, 26-12, 22-25 and 25-7 loss to Cleveland State on Saturday at the M.A.C. Center.

“I don’t think we competed very well,” Kent State coach Glen Conley said. “Obviously, game three we did. You just have to compete over the long haul, over the match. You can’t go from game to game and point to point. I mean, games two and four, it was ridiculous to get down that much. Just ridiculous.”

Kent State was without sophomore outside hitter Lauren Jones and its four seniors for the match. Jones, who led the team in kills with 335, did not play because of a foot injury. Conley said he held the seniors out to let the underclassmen play.

Both junior middle blocker Brianne Wille and freshman setter Lauren Simon recorded a team-high nine kills. Sophomore Celia Sabo also contributed to the effort with seven kills and three blocks.

“We’ve got some talent there,” Conley said. “We just have to get to playing consistently, playing with confidence and competing. It’s too much feeling sorry for ourselves. That has to change because if it doesn’t, you don’t develop into what you’re able to do.”

Contact sports reporter Josh Johnston at [email protected].