The University of Akron Athletics
Volleyball Grabs Five Set Thriller Over Kent State
November 06 | Women's Volleyball
- The University of Akron volleyball team picked up a thriller Friday evening completing their season sweep of Kent State in five sets (15-25, 17-25, 25-22, 27-25, 15-12) at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Held to a .123 hitting percentage through the first two sets while Kent State struck a .460 mark, a determined Zips squad would rally back to win the next three for their seventh conference win, the most the program has boasted since the 2003 season.
Tying the match for the first time at the 10-10 mark in the third set, Akron took its first lead off back-to-back blocks from juniors Tina Dimitrijevs and Courtney Jarvis (13-10). Not going down easily, the Golden Flashes hung close through the end but up by two at 22-20, Akron would take a timeout and score two points out of the break (24-20). The Flashes would come within two once again at 24-22 but a kill from sophomore setter Morgan Kuhn would keep the Zips alive.
Taking a quick 6-1 lead to start the fourth set, once again KSU battled back to come within one at the 11-10 mark. Remaining close, Kent State took the lead at 16-17. A back and forth affair tied at 25, the Zips would force a KSU error and welcome a dominant kill from senior Jackie Goleman to head to their eighth five set match of the season.
Akron started out on the losing end seeing a 5-1 lead by Kent to start the set, however, continuing to fight throughout, UA tied to up at 9-9 off a kill from redshirt freshman Ari Mewhorter. Taking the lead (10-9) off a Golden Flash error, a kill from KSU tied it back up (10-10) and the Zips would force two Kent State errors to go back up (12-10). Three kills from freshman Alex Cocklin and Mewhorter would seal the win for the Zips.
With the win, the Zips are now 6-2 in five set matches. The victory also marked the first time this season that Akron has lost the first set and went on to win the match.
Dimitrijevs and Goleman were the offensive leaders posting 13 kills apiece. Dimitrijevs also saw solid defensive action grabbing six block assists. Harvey was the defensive leader with 25 digs. Kuhn finished with 47 assists on the night adding 14 digs and three kills.
Now 15-10 overall and 7-6 in Mid-American Conference play, the Zips boast the most wins in both categories under the tenure of third year head coach Ron Arenz.
Akron will return to the court on Saturday welcoming Ohio University for a 7:00 p.m. match up. The event will also honor final year players Goleman and Chazity Bush after the match.
