VOLLEYBALL KICKS OFF HOME SLATE WITH AKRON INVITATIONAL THIS WEEKEND

Friday, September 1

Akron, OH

7 p.m.

University of Akron

Loyola (Md.)

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August 30 | Women's Volleyball

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GAME NOTES

AKRON, Ohio- The University of Akron volleyball team is set to host its own non-conference tournament for the 23rd season in its 44th-year history this weekend, Sept. 1-2, welcoming Tennessee Tech, Loyola, and La Salle to James A. Rhodes Arena for the Akron Invitational.

THIS WEEK
The Zips kick off their home campaign this weekend at the 23rd Akron Invitational on Sept. 1-2. All matches will be played at James A. Rhodes Arena.

On Friday, Sept. 1, the tournament opens up with a match between Tennessee Tech and La Salle at 4 p.m. Akron will then face Loyola at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, Sept. 2, tournament play continues with a match between Loyola and La Salle at 10 a.m. Akron is slated to play the second match taking on Tennessee Tech at 12:30 p.m, followed by Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles taking on Loyola at 4:30 p.m. The Zips close tournament play against La Salle at 7 p.m.

FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Friday, Sept. 1
4:00 PM – Tennessee Tech vs. La Salle
7:00 PM – Loyola vs. Akron

Saturday, Sept. 2
10:00 AM – Loyola vs. La Salle
12:30 PM – Tennessee Tech vs. Akron
4:30 PM – Loyola vs. Tennessee Tech
7:00 PM – La Salle vs. Akron

A WIN WOULD GIVE AKRON

Its second victory of the 2017 season
Its first win in an opening match of a tournament this season.

MEET THE ZIPS
The Akron Zips, under the guidance of third-year head coach Tom Hanna, stand 1-2 overall after opening the 2017 season at the Kristen Dickmann Invitational. Last weekend, the Zips picked up a 3-2 win over Maryland Eastern Shore (25-21, 21-25, 25-22, 12-25, 15-12), but fell to both Navy (18-25, 17-25, 20-25) and St Francis (PA) (17-25, 21-25, 21-25) in straight sets. Akron returns six starters from a year ago, while welcoming seven newcomers, including six freshmen. After three contests, junior Kayla Gwozdz (Temperance, Mich.) leads the Zips with 44 kills and 18 digs, followed by sophomore Ashley Richardson (Doylestown, Ohio) with 16 kills, three service aces, and five digs. Freshman Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) leads the Zips on defense with 45 digs averaging a team-best 4.09 digs per set.

FRESHMAN STAR OF THE KRISTEN DICKMANN TOURNAMENT
Freshman defensive specialist Taylor Sharrits was named to the Kristen Dickmann All-Tournament team. The freshman recorded a team-high 45 digs with a 4.09 digs per set, and one service ace.

SCOUTING LOYOLA
The Greyhounds, under the guidance of second-year head coach Alija Pittenger stand 0-3 overall. Last weekend Loyola fell to UNC-Wilmington, 3-0, Davidson, 3-0, and Appalachian State, 3-1. Loyola's top hitters are sophomore Ann Ernest who own 33 kills and 27 digs, followed by junior Hayley Puddy who has recorded 28 kills and 22 digs.

SERIES VS. LOYOLA
Loyola holds a 1-0 advantage in the all-time series with Akron. The Greyhounds defeated the Zips in a 2016 meeting 3-1 (23-25, 20-25, 25-18, 21-25).

SCOUTING TENNESSEE TECH
The Golden Eagles, under the guidance of fifth-year head coach Dave Dave Zelenock, stand 2-1 overall. Last weekend, Tennessee Tech came away with a 3-0 victory over N.C. Central and a 3-2 triumph past The Citadel. Closing weekend play the Golden Eagles fell to Campbell in a 3-0 decision. The Golden Eagles' top hitters are Kellie Williams with 37 kills, nine digs, followed by Shealene Little with 34 kills and 33 digs. Tennessee Tech's leading defensive player is Allison Morrett with 54 digs.

SERIES VS. TENNESSEE TECH
Tennessee Tech holds a 8-2 advantage in the all-time series with Akron. The Zips defeated the Golden Eagles in the last meeting in 2013 with a 3-0 win (25-16, 25-18, 25-16). This weekend marks the 11th meeting between the teams.

SCOUTING LA SALLE
The Explorers, under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Caitlin Schweihoffer, stand 2-1 overall. Last weekend La Salle fell to Bucknell 2-3, before completing a 3-1 victory over Iona and a 3-0 sweep against NJIT. The Explorers' top hitters are sophomore Devin Corah with 47 kills, five service aces, and 22 digs. Senior Bryanna Davis has 34 kills, two set assists, and six digs. The top defensive player for the Explorers is Jensen Sharrits with 54 digs.

SERIES VS. LA SALLE
The Zips hold a 3-0 all-time series advantage over the Explorers. The two teams met last in 2007 with the Zips taking the win in a 3-0 (30-22, 30-26, 30-27) decision. This marks the fourth meeting between the two teams.

BATTLE OF THE SISTERS
Zip's freshman defensive specialist, Taylor Sharrits will be going up against her older sister, libero Jensen Sharrits in the Saturday match against La Salle at 7 p.m. Jensen Sharrits is a junior with 54 digs on the season. Zips' senior Aubrey Kozer (Norton, Ohio) will also be going up against her younger sister, Ashley Kozer. Ashley is a freshman setter from Loyola with 41 assists on the season.

UP NEXT FOR AKRON
The Zips travel to Youngstown, Ohio for the Courtyard Marriott-Canfield Penguin Invitational Sept. 8-9. UA battles Fort Wayne on Friday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. The Zips wrap-up tournament play on Saturday, Sept. 9 with a doubleheader against tournament host Youngstown State at 11 a.m., and St. Francis (PA) at 4:30 p.m.