The University of Akron Athletics
Volleyball to host Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan this weekend
October 22 | Women's Volleyball
Follow Akron Volleyball on Twitter and Facebook | Buy Tickets
Zips Volleyball - Playing for a Cause
AKRON, Ohio -- Akron returns to its home floor at James A. Rhodes Arena this weekend when it hosts Mid-American Conference West Division opponents Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan. The Zips will challenge CMU on Friday at 7 p.m., followed by a clash with EMU on Saturday at 5 p.m.
MATCH INFORMATION
Dates: Oct. 24-25
Location: Akron, Ohio
Site: James A. Rhodes Arena (5,500)
The Series: Akron trails Central Michigan, 12-17; Akron leads Eastern Michigan, 18-15
Head Coaches: Ron Arenz (112-153 overall, 76-124 at UA); Erik Olson (143-166 overall and at CMU); Kim Berrington (384-347 overall, 281-271 at EMU)
Akron Assistant Coaches: Jayme Plummer (Assistant Coach); Rachel Green (Assistant Coach)
Livestats: CMU match; EMU match
Video stream: CMU match; EMU match- none
ZIP LINES
• Akron is in its 41st season of collegiate volleyball. Head coach Ron Arenz is in his seventh season at the helm, holding a 76-124 record leading the Zips and a 112-153 mark all-time as a collegiate head coach.
• Akron returns 10 letterwinners including four starters from last season. Only three active players for the Zips carry more than one season of experience with the Blue and Gold, but all seven newcomers from last year return to add depth to the roster.
• In the most recent NCAA rankings summary of the year, Kelsey Wilson is first in the MAC and 11th in the nation in service aces per set with 0.49. She is 28th in the country in overall service aces with 32.
• As a team, UA ranks second in the conference in team service aces (122) and third in aces per set (1.54).
ON DECK
• Akron returns home this weekend for MAC West matchups against Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan. The Zips will welcome the Chippewas on Friday at 7 p.m., followed by a 5 p.m. contest against the Eagles on Saturday.
• The Zips will wear pink uniforms for both matches in support of breast cancer research. Click here to hear who each student-athlete is playing for this weekend.
• UA is tied for the most home wins in the MAC East Division this season with six. Akron has compiled a 6-3 record at Rhodes Arena, and both of its conference victories so far have come on its home floor.
• Akron trails the all-time series with Central Michigan, 12-17. The Zips fell to the Chippewas in four sets on the road last year (20-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-15).
• UA holds a slim lead over Eastern Michigan in the all-time series, 18-15. The Eagles won the two teams' only meeting in 2013, 3-0 (27-25, 25-15, 25-15).
LAST TIME OUT
• The Zips dropped two road matches last weekend to West Division leader Northern Illinois and Western Michigan, both in three sets.
• Against WMU, the Akron attack was led by senior Mary Delich, who posted 10 kills, three block assists and a .350 hitting percentage.
• Karley Kusan put up 29 assists against the Broncos.
• UA hits the road again next weekend, making its way back through the East Division when it travels to Bowling Green and Miami (Ohio). The Zips will challenge BGSU on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m., and then face the RedHawks on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. ET.
SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN
• Central Michigan comes to Akron with a 8-12 overall record and a 3-5 mark in the conference. The Chippewas have won one out of their last five matches, in the form of a 3-1 victory over Bowling Green last Thursday.
• CMU is led by Erik Olson who is in his 10th season at Central Michigan. Olson holds a 143-166 overall record as Central's head coach.
• The Central Michigan offense is led by Kaitlyn McIntyre and Jordan Bueter, who average 3.09 and 2.96 kills per set, respectively, and both rank in the MAC's top-10 in that category. Freshman setter Kylie Copple posts 9.61 assists per set to guide the offense. Defensively, Kristen Reenders is second in the conference with 4.70 digs per set, and Angelique White is also second in the league rankings with 1.17 blocks per frame.
SCOUTING EASTERN MICHIGAN
• Eastern Michigan enters its Friday match at Buffalo with a 12-10 overall record and 3-5 mark in the MAC. Last weekend, Eastern defeated Bowling Green in three sets to snap a three-match skid.
• EMU is led by Kim Berrington, who is in her 18th year at Eastern and holds a 281-271 record as head coach of the Eagles.
• Outside hitter Stacey Perinar is fourth in the conference averaging 3.28 kills per set to pace the Eastern Michigan offense. Veteran setter Jill Briner tallies 9.02 assists per set. Corynne Smith is third in the league defensively, averaging 4.55 digs per set.
