The University of Akron Athletics
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Zips Fight But Fall to Ole Miss at Magnolia Classic
September 05 | Women's Volleyball
- The University of Akron volleyball team (5-2) fought hard
Saturday but fell in three to Magnolia Classic tournament host Ole
Miss at the Gillom Sports Center.
The Zips hung tough but couldn't keep up with a strong Rebel team
who hit a .355 hitting percentage which included an errorless .636
hitting percentage in the second set.
In the first game, Ole Miss came out ready to play forcing errors
and taking a quick 13-6 lead. Akron rebounded late in the set
coming within one (22-21) off a solo block by senior Brionna
Patterson. Service errors on both sides put Ole Miss within
game point (24-22) and a Rebel kill gave them the 25-22 set
win.
In the second set junior Jackie Goleman started off
the Zips with three consecutive kills (3-2). Staying close until
9-8, Ole Miss would pull away for a 16-10 lead. Playing errorless
throughout, the Rebels grabbed a 25-16 victory.
The Zips wouldn't go down easily as they came out strong in the
third set quickly taking a 8-3 lead. Ole Miss would come within one
at the 16-15 mark but a Ole Miss service error gave the Zips back
the two point advantage. Ole Miss would tie it at the 18 mark but a
kill by senior Liz Martin put UA back up one
(19-18). An Ole Miss kill tied it back up at 19 and a follow up
service ace gave the Rebels their first lead of the set
(20-19).
Two UA attack errors put the Rebels up 22-19 but a return attack
error by Ole Miss put the Zips within two (22-20). Fighting
throughout Akron would tie it back up at the 24-24 point off a solo
block by sophomore Tina Dimitrijevs. A UA
service error put the Rebels back up (25-24) but an Ole Miss attack
error tied it at 25. Kills by both teams brought the score into
extra points to the 27-26 mark and the Zips fought to the end but a
Rebel kill secured the 28-26 win.
For the sixth time this season, Patterson led UA offensively with
17 kills. Senior Megan Rodriguez led the Zips
in digs with ten. Fellow senior Kara Smith stayed consistent
in her setting responsibilities posting 33.
For the second consecutive tournament, Patterson and Martin were
named to the all-tournament team.
The Zips will begin their 2009 home season next weekend (Sept.
11-12) when they host their first tournament under the tutelage of
second year head coach Ron Arenz. UA will welcome
St. Francis (Pa.), West Virginia, Bucknell and Texas Christian to
the James A. Rhodes Arena.
