Volleyball Hosts Buffalo and Ball State This Week

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AKRON, Ohio- The University of Akron volleyball team returns home for a two game homestand against Buffalo and Ball State. This week, the Zips look to get their third conference win against the Bulls on Thursday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m., followed by Ball State on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 5 p.m.

THIS WEEK
Akron opens with Buffalo on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m, closing out the weekend with Ball State on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 5 p.m. at the James A. Rhodes Arena.

ESPN 3
Akron's games against Buffalo will be broadcasted on ESPN 3. Dave Bacon will be the play-by-play announcer with Jim Horton serving as the color analyst.

GAMEDAY COVERAGE
Akron vs. Buffalo
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Akron vs. Ball State
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MEET THE ZIPS
The Akron Zips, under the guidance of third-year head coach Tom Hanna, stand at 6-18 overall and 2-10 in Mid-American Conference play after their two-match road trip last weekend. The Zips fell to Ohio in a 3-0 (19-25, 13-25, 21-25) decision, before falling to rival Kent State, 3-0 (16-25, 25-27, 22-25).

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 188 kills. Freshman Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) directs the defense with 362 digs, averaging 4.02 digs per set.

ZIPS NATIONALLY RANKED
Junior left side hitter Kayla Gwozdz is nationally rated in two categories. Gwozdz is ranked 63rd in attacks per set (10.83) and 60th in total (899). Freshman setter Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) is rated 45th in service aces (35), 59th in aces per set (.39), and 79th in total assists (853).

IN MAC STATS
Kayla Gwozdz and Emily Weigand are ranked among the top-five in three categories in Mid-American Conference stats. Gwozdz is rated fifth in MAC stats in attacks per set (10.83). Weigand is ranked fourth in service aces (35), and fourth in aces per set (.39).

SCOUTING BUFFALO
The Bulls, under the guidance of third-year head coach Blair Brown Lipsitz, stand 14-9 overall and 7-5 in conference play. Last weekend, Buffalo went 1-1 with a 3-0 victory over Kent State, followed by a 3-0 loss to Ohio. Sophomore Polina Prokudina leads Buffalo's offense with 320 kills, averaging 3.76 kills per set. The Bulls' defense is paced by junior Laura Bickelhaupt with 330 digs, averaging 3.88 digs per set.

SERIES VS. BUFFALO
Akron holds a 28-14 all-time series advantage over the Zips. The teams met earlier in the season on Sept. 28, as the Zips came away with a 3-1 (25-23, 18-25, 25-15, 27-25) victory. This weekend marks the final meeting of the 2017 season.

SCOUTING BALL STATE
The Cardinals, under the guidance of second-year head coach Kelli Miller, stand at 15-10 overall and 7-5 in Mid-American Conference play. Last weekend, Ball State went 1-1 falling at Central Michigan 3-2, followed by a 3-2 victory at Eastern Michigan. Junior Brooklyn Goodsel leads the offense with 267 kills, averaging 2.87 kills per set, while the defense is paced by sophomore Kate Avila with 468 digs, averaging 4.82digs per set.

SERIES VS. BALL STATE
Ball State holds a 33-4 all-time series advantage over Akron. The two teams met last season, Nov. 6 with Ball State coming away with a 3-0 (20-25, 27-29, 17-29) victory. This weekend marks the 38^th meeting between the two teams.

UP NEXT FOR THE ZIPS
Akron closes out the regular season at home next weekend with Bowling Green on Friday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m., followed by Miami (Ohio) on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. Saturday's match against Miami (Ohio) will be broadcasted on ESPN 3. Following the match on Saturday, Akron will honor its seniors in a senior night presentation.

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Players Mentioned

Madi Baer

Kayla Gwozdz

Taylor Sharrits

Emily Weigand

The University of Akron Athletics