The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Volleyball Falls to Central Michigan in Three
October 26 | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, Ohio-Despite forcing eight service errors, The University of Akron volleyball team fell in three sets to the West Division Mid-American Conference leader, Central Michigan Chippewas, at James A. Rhodes Arena Saturday night.
Coming off a stellar win against Eastern Michigan Friday night, the Zips faced a tough CMU team that posted a .309 hitting percentage to the Zips .157 for the 25-23, 25-21, 26-24 victory.
In what proved to be a star-studded weekend for sophomore Jess Antosz (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler Area), she posted a team-high five blocks, including two solo, in the loss after posting nine against EMU. Antosz also added eight kills against the Chippewas, which was second on the squad.
Junior Liz Martin (Lowell, Ind./Lowell) led Akron
offensively putting up 10 kills (.269) adding three digs and one
solo block. Senior Jennifer Stewart (Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood)
and freshman Maddie McDonnell (Kalamazoo, Mich./Portage
Northern) led UA defensively posting 11 and 10 digs
respectively.
Akron would start the match taking a 6-2 lead over the Chippewas and would remain in the lead until CMU tied it at 14. Four consecutive Central Michigan kills put them up 17-14 and they would retain the lead until the Zips tied it at 22 off a Chippewa attack error. Two kills by CMU's Lauren Krupsky pushed them up two (24-22) but a kill by Antosz kept UA within one, however, it was an Akron attack error that proved to be the set point to put the Chippewas up 1-0.
Heading into frame two, it would remain close early, however, two more consecutive kills by Krupsky put CMU up 8-5 and they would keep the lead taking the set victory 25-21.
The Zips struggled in set three but were competitive until the end despite being held to a .049 hitting percentage. Akron took the early 5-1 lead in the set that had nine tie scores, however, seven points, including five consecutive Akron attack errors put the Chippewas up 8-5. Akron wouldn't be down for long as they quickly tied it back up 11-11 and 12-12 before CMU pulled away to take the 18-14 lead.
The Zips would tie it back up at the 20-20 point off a kill by Antosz and it would remain a back and forth battle until the end. Tied at 24-24 off a kill by freshman Tina Dimitrijevs (Broadview Heights, Ohio/North Royalton), a Central Michigan kill would put them back up one. With match point on the line for CMU, they would force a Akron attack error to take the match 26-24.
The Zips will continue their homestand next weekend when they
welcome Kent State and Ohio University to the James A. Rhodes
Arena. Both matches are set for 7:00 p.m.
