Volleyball Hits the Road for Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge Showdown

Follow Akron Women's Volleyball on Twitter and Facebook

Game Notes (PDF)

AKRON, Ohio- The University of Akron volleyball team hits the road for a two-game road trip to Ohio and Kent State this weekend. The Zips look to get their third conference win against the Bobcats on Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m., followed by a Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge showdown against the Golden Flashes on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m.

THIS WEEK
Akron opens with Ohio on Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio. The Zips end their road trip at the M.A.C. Center with rival Kent State on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m. start in Kent, Ohio.

ESPN 3
Akron's games against Kent State will be broadcasted on ESPN 3

GAMEDAY COVERAGE
Akron vs. Ohio
Live Stats

Akron vs. Kent State
Live Stats
Watch

CRYSTAL CLINIC WAGON WHEEL CHALLENGE
The Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge is based on a time-honored competition for a historic wooden wagon wheel trophy awarded originally in 1945 to the winner of the annual Akron-Kent State football game. Since the 2011-12 academic year, the rivalry was broadened to include 14 NCAA varsity sports, with victories in each sport adding one point to the challenge standings.

For the second consecutive year in 2016-17, Akron won the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge, claiming a 7.5 to 6.5 victory over Kent State. Kent State earned points for volleyball (0.5), women's soccer (1.0), women's basketball (1.0), men's basketball (1.0), softball (1.0), women's golf (1.0), and men's golf (1.0).

Kent State currently leads the Wagon Wheel Challenge 1.0-0.5. The Zips earned 0.5 in their 3-0 win in volleyball earlier this season.

Fans can learn more about the rivalry and follow the results and standings via www.WagonWheelChallenge.com.

MEET THE ZIPS
The Akron Zips, under the guidance of third-year head coach Tom Hanna, stand at 6-16 overall and 2-8 in Mid-American Conference play after their two-match road trip last weekend. The Zips fell to Eastern Michigan in a 3-1 (15-25,22-25,25-23,16-25) decision, before falling to Central Michigan, 3-0 (20-25,21-25,15-25).

Akron returns six starters from a year ago, while welcoming seven newcomers, including six freshmen. After 22 contests, junior Kayla Gwozdz (Temperance, Mich.) leads the Zips with 287 kills, averaging 3.46 kills per set, followed by junior Madi Baer (Stow, Ohio) with 173 kills. Freshman Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) directs the defense with 336 digs, averaging 4.00 digs per set.

ZIPS NATIONALLY RANKED
Junior left side hitter Kayla Gwozdz is nationally rated in two categories. Gwozdz is ranked 59th in total attacks (10.83) and 60th in attacks per set (899). Freshman setter Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) is rated 40th in service aces (33), 59th in aces per set (.39), and 79th in total assists (801).

IN MAC STATS
Kayla Gwozdz and Emily Weigand are ranked among the top-five in four categories in Mid-American Conference stats. Gwozdz is rated fifth in MAC stats in both total attacks (899) and attacks per set (10.83). Weigand is ranked third in service aces (33), and fourth in assists per set (.39).

SCOUTING OHIO
The Bobcats, under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Deane Webb, stand 11-13 overall and 5-5 in conference play. Last weekend, Ohio went 1-1 with a 3-1 victory over Northern Illinois, followed by a 3-1 loss to Western Michigan. Sophomore Lizzie Stephens leads Ohio's offense with 341 kills, averaging 3.59 kills per set. The Bobcat's defense is paced by freshman Macy Reihing with 356 digs, averaging 3.96 digs per set.

SERIES VS. OHIO
Ohio holds a 35-23 all-time series advantage over the Zips. The teams met earlier in the season on Sept. 23, as the Bobcats came away with a 3-1 (15-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-23) victory. This weekend marks the final meeting of the 2017 season.

SCOUTING KENT STATE
The Golden Flashes, under the guidance of eighth-year head coach Don Gromala, stand at 4-17 overall and 2-8 in Mid-American Conference play. Last weekend, Kent State went 0-2 falling at Western Michigan 3-1, followed by a 3-0 loss at Northern Illinois. Senior Kelsey Bittinger leads the offense with 288 kills, averaging 3.95 kills per set, while the defense is paced by senior Challen Geraghty with 431 digs, averaging 5.90 digs per set.

SERIES VS. KENT STATE
Kent State holds a 42-36 all-time series advantage over Akron. The two teams met earlier in the season on Sept. 22 for the first installment of the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge game on the volleyball court, with the Zips coming away with a 3-1 (25-27, 25-15, 25-18, 25-23) triumph over the rival.

UP NEXT FOR THE ZIPS
Akron returns home next weekend to host Buffalo on Thursday, Nov. 2, for a 7 p.m. start, followed by Ball State on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 5 p.m. Thursday's game against Buffalo will be broadcasted on ESPN 3.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Madi Baer

Kayla Gwozdz

Taylor Sharrits

Emily Weigand

The University of Akron Athletics