The Buffalo volleyball team entered the weekend with a five-game and 12-set winning streak before its first Mid-American Conference road games of the season.
Buffalo is now on a two-game and six-set losing streak after playing without its kills and assists leaders over the weekend.
The Bulls (12-6, 2-2 MAC) were swept on the road this weekend, falling in straight sets to both Ohio (11-4, 4-0 MAC) Friday and Kent State (10-7, 2-2 MAC) Saturday. Junior outside hitter Tahleia Bishop and junior setter Marissa Prinzbach didn’t play in either game. Bishop leads the team with 257 kills and Prinzbach leads Buffalo with 474 assists.
Buffalo’s offense struggled throughout without two of its best players, as the Bulls scored 20 points in a set in just one of six opportunities. It was the first time Buffalo was swept 3-0 this season and the first shutout over an entire weekend since 2011.
Head coach Reed Sunahara said the team can sort out its issues.
“I think our performance is fixable,” Sunahara said. “We have to learn how to compete, we need players to step up. We need leadership. Once we get these things going, we’re going to be a good team. Someone will have to step up, instead of looking at the next person to do it.”
The Bulls started the weekend with a loss to Ohio in straight sets 25-16, 25-17, 25-16. The Bobcats jumped out to early leads, amassing double-digit advantages early in the first and third sets of the match. Ohio finished with a 31.2 kill percentage, compared to Buffalo’s 9.2.
Junior outside hitter Amber Hatchett finished with a team-best nine kills. Sophomore libero Megan Lin tallied 26 assists.
The Bulls ended the weekend with a loss to Kent State 25-12, 25-20, 25-15. The Golden Flashes used a 9-0 run to close out the first set and a 7-2 rally to end the second after the set was tied at 18. Buffalo trailed only 17-13 in the final set before Kent State pulled away for 25-15 victory.
Freshman outside hitter Skyler Day had extended playing time in Bishop’s absence, finishing the weekend with nine kills and 12 digs.
“I thought [Day] did a great job this weekend for us and we needed it,” Sunahara said. “She’s still getting comfortable, so for these two games, we’re seeing some growth.”
The Bulls will look to rebound when they travel to Akron, Ohio to take on the Zips (7-12, 1-3 MAC). The match is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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Photo: Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics
