Toledo Sweeps Kent State to Stay in Hunt For MAC Tournament Berth

Friday, November 15

Kent, Ohio

6:00 p.m.

University of Toledo

16-13,9-8MAC

Kent State

2-25,1-16MAC

Toledo

Kent St.

Anna Alford recorded a career-best 10 kills to help the Rockets sweep Kent State on Friday night.

Photo by: Bree Bee

Toledo Sweeps Kent State to Stay in Hunt For MAC Tournament Berth

11/15/2024 8:01:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Taylor Alt and Anna Alford hit double-figure kills in a must-win game for the Rockets

KENT, Ohio – Outside hitter Taylor Alt tallied a team-high 13 kills as the Toledo women's volleyball team rolled to a 3-0 sweep (25-23, 25-17, 25-22) in what was a must-win victory over Kent State in Kent, Ohio on Friday. Junior middle blocker Anna Alford added 10 kills on a .600 clip, setting a new career best.

Toledo (16-13, 9-8 MAC) still stands in seventh place in the conference standings, one spot out of tournament contention. A win helps keep Toledo in the hunt for the sixth and final spot in the conference championship.

Freshman opposite/right side hitter Olivia Heitkamp tallied eight kills while redshirt freshman Sierra Pertzborn totaled seven kills and a team-best three blocks. Sophomore setter Macy Hatkevich recorded 37 assists and 11 digs, marking her ninth double-double of the season. Hatkevich also poured in four kills and three service aces.

Freshman libero Grace Freiberger had a team-high 19 digs to go along with three service aces while sophomore outside hitter Caylee Sharkey had a career-best 17 digs of her own.

"We had a bunch of big-time performers tonight," said Head Coach Jason Oliver. "Anna Alford and Macy Hatkevich played great and really soured on a total team effort. Time to recover and refocus for what will be a tough match tomorrow on Kent State senior night."

Kent State (2-25, 1-16 MAC) was led by Mackenzie McGuire with nine kills.

HOW IT HAPPENED
SET ONE (25-23 Toledo)

Kent State jumped out to an early 7-4 lead behind a block. Three consecutive kills from Izzy Granger and Taylor Alt tied the match, 9-9.
A 4-0 run by Toledo, highlighted by a kill from Anna Alford and an ace from Macy Hatkevich, put the Rockets ahead, 13-11.
The Golden Flashes responded with a 5-0 surge of their own to regain the lead, 16-13.
A kill from Alford and solo block from Sierra Pertzborn got the Rockets within one, 18-17, but Kent State extended their advantage, 22-18.
Terminations from Granger and Alt and a block from Emily Honzelka and Alt helped Toledo knot the match, 22-22.
A kill from Alt put the Rockets at set point and a kill from Sierra Pertzborn secured the set win.

SET TWO (25-17 Toledo)

Two kills from Alt and Alford helped create a 5-0 run to put the Rockets up early, 5-1.
A termination from Olivia Heitkamp kept Toledo in front, 7-3. Kent State rattled off three consecutive points to get within two, 11-9, but a kill from Alt kept Toledo ahead, 12-9.
Hatkevich's second ace of the night and a solo block from Alford extended Toledo's lead, 17-11.
The Golden Flashes got within five, 20-15, but kills from Alt and Sharkey helped keep the Rockets in front.
Back-to-back errors for Kent State helped give Toledo the set victory.

SET THREE (25-22 Toledo)

Kills from Alt and Pertzborn and an ace from Freiberger gave Toledo the early advantage, 5-2.
Six consecutive points from Kent State put the Golden Flashes in front, 14-13. A solo block from Alt and two aces from Freiberger gave Toledo the slight two-point lead, 16-14.
A 5-0 run, highlighted by kills from Alford and Alt as well as an ace from Hatkevich, extended Toledo's lead, 21-17.
Heitkamp's eight kill of the night put the Rockets at set point and Pertzborn put the set away with a termination of her own.

UP NEXT
The Rockets close out regular season play at Kent State on Saturday, Nov. 16. First serve is set for 4:00 p.m. with coverage on ESPN+.

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