Penn State New Kensington Falls to Kent State Tuscarawas

Unger setting the ball.
Unger setting the ball.
August 31, 2024

Penn State New Kensington with a tough 3-0 loss to Kent State Tuscarawas. The match saw New Kensington struggle to find their offensive rhythm, falling by set scores of 22-25, 15-25, and 12-25.

Set Breakdown:

  • Set 1: Penn State New Kensington showed fight, staying close throughout the set, but Kent State Tuscarawas edged them out 25-22.
  • Set 2: New Kensington's attack faltered as they dropped the second set 25-15.
  • Set 3: Kent State Tuscarawas closed out the match decisively with a 25-12 win in the third set.

Key Performers for Penn State New Kensington:

  • Jessica Staraniec led the team with 7 kills, adding 1 block and 8.5 points overall.
  • Gabby Wolfkill contributed 4 kills and 4 points, hitting .091 for the match.
  • Kayla Carnahan was highly efficient with 2 kills on 3 attempts (.667 hitting percentage), while also registering a service ace and 26 digs.
  • Emily Lewandowski had 2 kills, 1 service ace, and 3.5 points, providing support both offensively and defensively.
  • Kayla Unger tallied 16 assists and chipped in a service ace while adding 5 digs.

Kent State Tuscarawas Highlights:

  • Jaileigh Price was a standout for Tuscarawas, leading the attack with 9 kills, hitting an impressive .389, and contributing 10.5 points.
  • Elizabeth Keller added 4 kills and a match-high 6 service aces, while Allie Keller posted 7 kills.
  • Tuscarawas controlled the match from the service line with 14 aces and out-blocked New Kensington with 2 solo blocks and 2 assisted blocks.

State Leaders for Penn State New Kensington:

Despite a valiant effort, Penn State New Kensington struggled to match Tuscarawas' consistent attack and strong serving. They will look to rebound in their next match as they aim to improve their offensive efficiency and capitalize on defensive opportunities.