KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan volleyball team hit .339 collectively on its way to a 3-0 win (25-12, 25-14, 25-19) over Kent State on Saturday afternoon at University Arena.
 
Western Michigan's .339 hitting percentage was its second-highest of the season. Maggie King led the way for the Broncos (15-9, 8-5) with a match-high 14 kills on a .448 hitting percentage. Madison Merz and Meredith Phillips chipped in nine kills apiece, with Merz doing so on a .364 hitting percentage. Merz also equaled her career high with four service aces.
 
Logan Case handed out a match-high 37 assists, her sixth straight contest with 30 or more helpers. Mairead Boyle led WMU with 11 digs.
 
Western Michigan did not trail at any point throughout the first two sets, and got off to a fast start, taking the first five points of the afternoon. Kent State (10-15, 5-8) closed the gap to 9-7, but the Broncos responded with a 9-2 surge to build an 18-9 advantage. WMU cruised from there, and took the final four points of the frame to grab a 1-0 lead.
 
The Broncos were out of the box quickly in the second frame as well, jumping out in front, 7-2. Leading 9-6, Western Michigan used a pair of 3-0 spurts to stretch the margin to 15-7. The Golden Flashes got as close as six, 19-13, but WMU then rattled off five straight points to put the set away. The Broncos hit .455 during the second frame.
 
Kent State took the first point of the third set for its first lead of the contest. WMU promptly responded with four straight, and stayed in front until KSU drew level at 9-9. With the Golden Flashes holding a 12-11 edge, Western Michigan went on a 7-2 run to go back on top, 18-14. Ahead 22-19, the Broncos got a pair of kills from King and one from Case to finish off Kent State and snap their four-match skid.
 
Western Michigan hits the road next weekend, Nov. 5-6, to take on Buffalo. The series opener against the Bulls is set for Friday at 6 pm.