The University of Akron Athletics
Volleyball Set to Begin 2006 Season
August 23 | Women's Volleyball
The University of Akron volleyball team will open 2006 play this
weekend when it travels to Morgantown, W.Va. for the West Virginia
Classic.
Indiana, Oakland and the host Mountaineers will also be
participating in the four-team tournament which begins Friday.
Akron takes on the Hoosiers at 5 p.m. Friday before facing West
Virginia (noon) and Oakland (5 p.m.) Saturday.
The Zips, under the direction of head coach
Mike Sweitzer, now in his
16th season, were picked to finish fifth in the Mid-American
Conference East Division according to the league's preseason poll.
But the Zips, perennially among the top teams in the MAC, are
looking to rebound from last year's 10-20 finish.
"The team is excited just to get this season underway," said
Sweitzer. "As a squad, we are looking forward to making some
significant changes this year, especially after a disappointing
season in 2005."
Akron began the 2005 season knocking off its first five opponents
for its best start since 1995. UA's first loss of the season came
in the final match of the Hilton Invitational, when West Virginia
defeated the blue and gold in five close games. Unfortunately, the
loss began what would be the Zips' season-long eight-match losing
streak.
The Zips must regroup for the start of the 2006 campaign, having
lost three starters and five letterwinners from a year ago. Akron
will fill the gap with a roster including three returning starters,
five veterans and five newcomers.
Leading the Zips into the upcoming season is senior defensive
specialist
Kim
Horn (North Canton, Ohio/Jackson). The Academic All-MAC
recipient led the team in digs in 2005 and was recognized as the
Defensive Player of the Year.
Supporting the Zips' effort this season will be returning starters
Molly Rutledge (Wooster,
Ohio/Wooster) and
Jennifer Stewart (Kentwood,
Mich./East Kentwood). Rutledge, a middle hitter, led the team last
season with 484.5 points. Offensive Player of the Year Stewart led
the Zips in kills in 2005 and came up second in digs.
Adding to the mix will be key returnees
Shayla Gilbert (Lorain,
Ohio/Admiral King) and
Abby Varterasian
(Ypsilanti, Mich./Ypsilanti). The five incoming freshmen players
are also expected to make a significant contribution this fall.
Jennifer Fekpe (Hillard, Ohio/Davidson), Elizabeth Martin (Lowell,
Ind./Lowell), Brionna Patterson (Sandusky, Ohio/Sandusky), Megan
Rodriguez (Sagamore Hills, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) and Kara Smith
(Secor, Ill./El Paso-Gridley) comprise this year's freshmen class.
Patterson and Rodriguez were all-state performers in high
school.
"We have had some very competitive workouts throughout the
summer," said Sweitzer. "I expect that our veteran players will
continue to make healthy strides this season and that are class of
freshmen will develop into players who can vie for significant
playing time."
The Zips open the home schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 5 whey they play
host to Youngstown State. That match is slated to begin at 7
p.m.
