The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
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Dartmouth
Zips Volleyball Defeats Dartmouth, 3-1
September 16 | Women's Volleyball
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Final Stats vs. Dartmouth | PDF vs. Dartmouth
"Tonight was a solid win for us," said head coach Tom Hanna. "We found a way to get back on track after a rough set one. We trusted each other and got back on task individually and in getting back to executing a game plan. I am extremely proud of what we did tonight."
Despite being out-hit in the first set, four Akron players reached double figure kills, including senior outside hitter Amanda Bedell (Hudson, Ohio) with a match-high 13 kills to pace the UA offensive attack. Sophomore middle blocker Patience Brown (Bloomington, Ill.) followed suit with 12 kills while classmate Madi Baer (Stow, Ohio) and freshman Ashley Richardson (Doylestown, Ohio) each added 10 apiece.
Senior setter Karley Kusan (Columbus, Ohio) notched her fourth double-double of the season with 42 assists and 20 digs. Defensively, Brenna Mack (Mound, Minn.) led the way with 21 digs while Aubrey Kozer (Norton, Ohio), Callie Mack (Mound, Minn.), and Abbey Pawlak (Sylvania, Ohio) contributed 14, 11, and 10 digs, respectively.
Although producing quality numbers, the offense for Akron (4-6) was slow going in the beginning. The Zips trailed the entire first set, eventually falling 25-17. It was clear that the two teams were going to fight to the end in the opening match of the tournament.
Dartmouth took an early 6-2 lead in the beginning of the second set, but Akron quickly rebounded with five consecutive points to take a 7-6 advantage. The score was tied three more times until the Zips pulled away using a 7-0 run, however, the Big Green scored the following six points to reclaim the lead, 16-15. With the score locked in at 22-20 in favor of Akron, UA capitalized on the last three points to tie the match 1-1.
The Big Green scored the first point of the third set but Akron would take a 6-2 lead and never looked back after winning 25-17. In the final set, Dartmouth kept the margin within five, but it would never be able to recover the lead. A pair of errors from the Big Green and a service ace by Brown locked up the set and the match.
Only two matches remain between Akron and its MAC schedule as the Zips' final contests of the West Virginia Invitational are scheduled for tomorrow (Sept. 17). Akron will take on host WVU at 12:30 p.m. before competing against Winthrop in its afternoon match at 4:30 p.m.
