The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Central Michigan
Volleyball Claims 3-2 Decision Over CMU for First MAC Victory
October 22 | Women's Volleyball
Follow Akron Volleyball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram | Buy Tickets
Final Statistics | Match Highlights
AKRON, Ohio – Senior Karley Kusan (Columbus, Ohio) notched her 2,500th career assist en route to Akron's first Mid-American Conference victory of the season on Saturday afternoon, as the Zips took Central Michigan to five sets (26-24, 25-23, 21-25, 23-25, 15-8) at James A. Rhodes Arena.
The result improves Akron to 6-16 overall and 1-9 in the Mid-American Conference, while Central Michigan improves to 9-13 and 3-7 in league play.
The win also snapped a nine-match skid for Akron, and is UA's first triumph over CMU since the 2012 season when the Zips won at home in four sets.
Freshman Elya Karsner (Frankfort, Ky.) led the way for Akron after registering 13 kills. Sophomores Patience Brown (Bloomington, Ill.) and Madi Baer (Stow, Ohio) also contributed 11 kills apiece while Kayla Gwozdz added nine. Brown garnered a season-high seven blocks while senior Julie Shallman (Holt, Mich.) tallied a season-high eight kills as well.
Kusan put up 42 assists to guide the offense while totaling 14 digs to seize her 11th double-double of the season. Her 42 assists put her over the 2,500 mark as the senior now ranks eighth in individual career assists at Akron with 2,515.
Defensively, Brenna Mack (Mound, Minn.) and Callie Mack (Mound, Minn.) had 16 and 12 digs, respectively. Central's Jordan Bueter finished the night with a match-high 21 kills.
The first set started off slow, and neither team could build much of a lead until later down the line. Akron broke a six-all tie after three straight attack errors by CMU to go up 9-6. However, the tables would turn quickly, as the Chippewas countered by scoring six consecutive points to claim a 12-9 advantage.
Trailing 22-18, Akron did not back down as the Zips went on a 7-2 run that put them at set point. A service ace by sophomore Abbey Pawlak (Sylvania, Ohio) gave UA a 1-0 lead.
The second period was much like the first, as no team could break away with a convincing lead until Akron used four successive points to force a CMU timeout (10-6). The Zips pushed their lead to as big as eight points, which was too much for Central to battle back from as UA went into intermission up 2-0.
The Chippewas came out strong after the break, forcing the decisive set after claiming three and four. There was no question who the final set belonged to after Akron charged ahead with a 14-7 control. Central Michigan would score one more point until enormous block by Shallman sealed the set and the victory for the Zips.
Akron finishes its homestand next weekend when it hosts Kent State and Ohio. The match against the Golden Flashes will take place Friday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m., while the showdown with OU is on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. Seniors, Amanda Bedell, Karley Kusan, Brenna Mack, Callie Mack and Julia Smagacz will be recognized prior to their final home match against the Bobcats.
