The University of Akron Athletics
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Milwaukee
Volleyball falls to Milwaukee in Akron Invitational finale, 3-1
September 07 | Women's Volleyball
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AKRON, Ohio – Alex Cocklin and Jill Paluch tied career highs with 19 kills and 23 digs, but it was not enough to overcome Akron's offensive miscues in a 3-1 loss to Milwaukee Saturday afternoon at James A. Rhodes Arena.
The Zips snuck one by UWM (3-3) in the second set but struggled to find their footing the rest of the way, falling 25-17, 24-26, 25-21, 25-15. The loss gave UA second place overall in its Akron Invitational and dropped the Zips to 4-1 on the season.
Cocklin and Paluch were named to the All-Tournament team for their efforts. Ashley Holder had a career night as well, delivering 31 assists, and was one dig short of a double-double with nine.
Akron's uncharacteristic 40 attack errors proved to be the difference of the day, as the Zips were unable to find many ways around Milwaukee's strong play at the net and the Panthers' 11 total blocks.
Trailing after the first set, UA put together a thrilling second stanza, evening the score in classic come-from-behind fashion. After a UWM kill put the Panthers in set-point position at 24-21, the Zips forced an error to bring it within two and regain service. Brenna Mack served a string of four straight points that featured three Akron kills to give the Zips new life heading into the break.
The third set would also go down to the wire, but the Zips ran out of steam and could not make the most of a 20-all tie, coming up just short. Milwaukee ran away with the fourth set and never trailed after a 1-1 tie to win the tournament title.
Akron returns to the court for a single weeknight match at Robert Morris on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7:00 p.m. in Moon Township, Pa. Next weekend the Zips head west to Montana State for the MSU Tournament Sept. 13-14, where they will face South Dakota, Montana State and Gonzaga.
