The University of Akron Athletics
Volleyball Announces Additions of Brown and Pawlak for 2015 Season
November 13 | Women's Volleyball
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AKRON, Ohio -- University of Akron volleyball head coach Ron Arenz announced Thursday that Patience Brown (Bloomington, Ill.) and Abbey Pawlak (Sylvania, Ohio) have committed to join the program for the 2015-16 academic year
"We are looking forward to having Patience and Abbey as freshmen for the 2015 season," said Arenz. "The pair brings a new dimension to what will be a veteran squad for us next year."
Brown, a 5-9 middle hitter out of University High school in central Illinois, led her team to back-to-back conference championships for the last two seasons. She was named team captain as a senior, and earned several all-tournament team nods in the club circuit.
"Patience is as dynamic of a student-athlete as you can get, and she comes from one of the best volleyball breeding grounds in the country," Arenz said. "Her speed, jumping ability and fluid arm make her a threat along any part of the net. I anticipate great things from Patience during her time as a Zip."
Pawlak, a 5-4 libero from Sylvania High School in northwest Ohio, posted 524 digs as a senior this year, collecting over 1,400 for her career. Averaging more than 5.4 digs per set for the last three seasons, she is a three-time all-conference selection and two-time all-district honoree. Pawlak led her squad to a sectional title in 2014, earning a nod as an all-around all-star from local television station BCSN. Part of the Premier Volleyball Club in Maumee, Ohio, Pawlak was also recognized as a PrepVolleyball.com Defensive Dandy.
"Tenacious is the best way to describe Abbey," noted Arenz. "She loves competing and is the ultimate teammate. She has a knack of putting herself in the right position on defense and with her solid platform skills, Abbey will raise the quality of our first contacts."
Brown and Pawlak will join an Akron team that loses just one senior to graduation following the 2014 season.
