The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Kent State
Late comeback falls short for Volleyball in 3-2 loss to Kent State
September 27 | Women's Volleyball
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AKRON, Ohio – Akron navigated its way out of an early hole and nearly executed a momentous comeback against rival Kent State on Friday night, but the effort fell just short in a five set loss, 25-20, 25-12, 18-25, 21-25, 15-9.
UA evened its record to 6-6 overall and 0-1 in the Mid-American Conference, while Kent State (7-6, 1-0 MAC) claimed a half-point in the PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge.
Kelsey Wilson tied a career-high with 15 kills, hitting a remarkable .667 as the Zips almost achieved the impossible, coming back from 0-2 deficit to win the third and fourth frames and force a fifth set. Wilson's hitting percentage ranks inside the top-10 all-time at UA, tying her best performance from her rookie season.
Alex Cocklin tallied her third double-double in the last four matches, collecting 12 kills and 14 digs on the night. Mary Delich and Amanda Bedell were also key components of Akron's late-onset offensive outburst, posting 11 and eight kills, respectively.
Kent State fielded four players with double-digit kills and used 50 assists from setter Aleksandra Nowak to edge Akron and ultimately keep the Zips' rally at bay.
UA quickly found itself in a bind after Kent State's strong start helped the Flashes steal the first set and all but run away with the second. A few lineup changes got the Zips back on track and they dominated after the break, holding KSU to less than .080 hitting percentage in sets three and four.
The tides began to turn midway through the third set as Karley Kusan captained the offense, finding her hitters and giving Akron a six-point lead at 20-14. Kent State called a timeout to regroup but the Zips continued to stay on top of their game, and a Flashes' error at set point put Akron on the board.
After breaking an early 1-1 tie in the fourth set, the Zips never trailed and led by as many as nine. A 3-0 Akron run made the score 23-15 in its favor, but KSU answered with four straight points of its own. A kill from Delich brought UA back to set point at 24-19, and three plays later Bedell brought the house down with a monster kill to even the match and harness all the momentum in Rhodes Arena.
It would be Bedell again in the fifth set that put the Zips in striking distance, after a kill brought Akron to within one trailing 5-4. But Kent State's offense would find its footing, and the Flashes used a 3-0 and a 4-0 run to lock up the final set.
Jill Paluch led Akron's defense with 17 digs and the Zips came together at the net as well, posting 10 total team blocks.
UA continues MAC play on its home floor on Saturday when it welcomes No. 22 Ohio to the JAR for a 5 p.m. tilt. The nationally-ranked Bobcats (11-2, 1-0 MAC) defeated Buffalo on the road Friday night in four sets.
