University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
2-4
Kent State University
5-1
Career Efforts From Buckwalter and Forrest Not Enough, Volleyball Falters at Kent State, 3-1
9/6/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
KENT, Ohio -- The University of New Hampshire volleyball team concluded action at the Golden Flashes Classic against host Kent State University on Saturday night at the M.A.C. Center. However, the Wildcats fell to the Golden Flashes in four sets.
The set scores were 23-25, 23-25, 25-21 and 18-25. Following the match, junior right side hitter Brenna Buckwalter (Evergreen, Colo.) earned all-tournament honors for her efforts in the Golden Flashes Classic.
Buckwalter registered a career-high 15 kills and added eight digs in the loss. Classmate Tori Forrest (Powder Springs, Ga.) posted a double-double performance with 13 kills and a personal-best 20 digs. Senior setter Taylor Dunklau (Mukwonago, Wis.) armed the offense by dishing out 48 assists. Junior defensive specialist Madison Lightfoot (Clarkston, Mich.) recorded 17 digs in the backcourt.
Despite a .375 attack percentage from the Wildcats, KSU prevailed in the first set, 25-23. Buckwalter paced the offense with four kills on five swings and no errors. Each side exchanged blows at the store stood at 11 apiece to start the first set. Kent State created a five-point edge late in the frame, 20-15. UNH narrowed KSU's lead down to two at 21-19, forcing a timeout by the Eagles. The Wildcats managed to knot the score at 23 all. However, two timely kills by Kent State powered the Golden Flashes to win the first stanza.
Kent State duplicated the score in the second set and upped the match score to 2-0. Buckwalter and junior outside hitter Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio) posted kill tallies of five and four respectively. The 'Cats owned a small lead to begin the second frame with a score of 11-7. KSU chipped away at UNH's lead and eventually tied the game at 12. After trading the next 10 points, New Hampshire rattled off four consecutive points to lead 21-17 and force Kent State to regroup. Coming out of the stoppage, the Golden Flashes managed to reverse the momentum and compile a 6-2 run to knot the score at 23. Kent State recorded the next two points to claim the second set.
UNH captured its first set of the evening by a score of 25-21. Buckwalter's six kills led the team in the frame. Entering the third stanza, UNH and KSU continued to exchange points and upped the score to 6-6. The Wildcats jetted ahead with a 5-1 run to lead 11-7. Kent State surged back to tie the score at 11 all. New Hampshire reclaimed the advantage with four straight points. The Golden Flashes rallied late in the frame to pull within a point at 20-19. The Wildcats halted the KSU surge and earned the set point.
KSU avoided a fifth set, grabbing the decisive stanza, 25-18. In the fourth game, Kent State held the upper hand with a 10-6 lead. The Golden Flashes kept the Wildcats distant, upping the score to 14-9. KSU cushioned its advantage by stringing together a 6-1 run to lead 20-10. The Wildcats battled back with an 8-3 surge of their own. However, the deficit was too much to overcome as Kent State claimed the last two points to clinch match point.
The Wildcats resume their 11-game road trip, visiting Bryant University for a non-conference match Tuesday, Sept. 9 (7 p.m.). New Hampshire welcomes Northeastern University to Lundholm Gymnasium for its first home match of the season Tuesday, Sept. 16 (7 p.m.).
Tune into UNHWildcats.com or follow the Wildcats via social media on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UNHWildcats), Twitter (@UNHWildcats), YouTube (www.youtube.com/UNHAthletics) and Instagram (@UNHWildcats) for the latest news and information on all 20 varsity sports. For additional information on the UNH volleyball team, like the squad on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UNHVolleyball) or follow the 'Cats on Twitter and Instagram at @UNHVOLLEYBALL.
