After a loss to the then last-place Ohio University Bobcats, the Kent State volleyball team took a trip to Ypsilanti, MI, to take on the now last-place Eastern Michigan Eagles.

What followed were two more losses that put a damper on what looked to be a very promising start to conference play.

Thursday 

KSU got its scoring started on a kill from junior setter Christina Vigil. EMU then seized an early lead, before things settled into both teams trading points.

No team held a lead of more than two points until an Eagles kill put the team up 11-9, but KSU immediately responded to tie it at 11-11.

The Flashes finally got some separation using a 5-0 run to build an 18-14 lead. The Eagles followed that up with a 7-0 run of their own to take the lead.

The run of momentum swings continued with the Flashes getting four points of their own and reclaiming the lead.

The teams continued to trade points before the Eagles pulled away to claim a thrilling first set victory by a score of 25-23.

Set two took the opposite direction. Eastern Michigan grabbed control early, as the team jumped out to a 4-1 lead. KSU fought back and prevented the game from getting out of hand despite Eastern Michigan maintaining the lead.

The turning point came when the Flashes cut the score to 13-11. Eastern Michigan allowed the Flashes to score one more point during the rest of the set, drubbing the Flashes 25-12 to put them on the verge of a sweep.

Facing a second straight loss in a similar fashion to the Ohio loss, it’d be up to the Flashes to get the momentum rolling.

Eastern Michigan, however, kept its momentum and led for most of the set. 

The score in this set was respectable, with KSU falling 25-20. This marked the second-straight game where the Flashes lost 3-0.

The inability to respond to adversity remained a theme from last Tuesday’s match to this match. 

“If we don’t win that first one, then we struggle, and I think we have to figure out how to get over that hump in set two,” coach Haley Eckerman said.

Friday

Looking to avoid a third consecutive loss to end the week, KSU looked to get back on track and regain some momentum.

KSU started well, competing hard with Eastern Michigan and receiving kills from players such as senior Mackenzie McGuire and redshirt sophomore Adalynn Ginley.

Once again, however, in what’s become a recurring theme at points, when the Flashes go down over stretches, it drags them down for the rest of the set. 

Eastern Michigan used a 10-1 run to go in the driver’s seat for a 25-14 victory in the set. 

After switching sides of the court, KSU looked to rebound and avoid a repeat of the other matches that occurred this week. 

The Flashes held their own and built a lead in the early going. Later in the set, Eastern Michigan tied the set at 12-12, setting the stage for a back-and-forth middle of the set that saw both teams trading points. 

Late in the set, Eastern Michigan once again pulled away, finishing the set off 25-18 on a kill from sophomore middle blocker Hatteras Welker.

Now looking to avoid a sweep for the entire series, KSU looked to show resiliency that had defined the team in its non-conference schedule. 

The team did just that, winning the third set 25-23. The Flashes used a late rally down 18-14 to spring a comeback effort.

The Flashes were unable to capitalize on the momentum, as the team fell in the fourth set 25-18. EMU claimed the match 3-1, and swept the weekend series.

The loss dropped KSU to 7-11 overall and 2-5 in conference play.

Eckerman echoed a similar sentiment to Thursday’s contest.

“I think it’s the same thing,” she said. “Just trying to figure out how to play and follow our scout [report], follow our keys to success for a whole match consistently.”

Standouts

The team had a solid defensive weekend in the dig department. Three players sat in double figures for digs on Friday’s match, with McGuire tallying a double-double with 13 kills and 13 digs.

Junior outside hitter Mercedez Brown stepped up big in Friday’s match, notching a season high of 11 kills.

“I think Mercedez did a good job at stepping up,” Eckerman said. “I think she did a great job at doing her job and being a go-to player for us.”

Up next

KSU will continue conference play by heading down to Oxford, OH, to take on the Miami Redhawks.

The Redhawks sit at 9-10 overall and 3-4 in conference play.

The matchups will take place Thursday and Friday at 6:30 p.m. for both games.

Stone O’Bryant is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].