Zips Open Conference Play With Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge Victory Over Rival Kent State

Friday, September 22

Akron, OH

7 p.m.

University of Akron

5-8, (1-0MAC)

Kent State

2-10, (0-1MAC)

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
KENTST	27	15	18	23	1
Akron	25	25	25	25	3

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September 22 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

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Box Score (PDF)

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AKRON,Ohio- The Akron Zips volleyball team secured a come-from-behind 3-1 (25-27, 25-15, 25-18, 25-23) victory over Kent State in the initial installment of the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge in the Mid-American Conference opener Friday night at the James A. Rhodes Arena.

Akron stands 5-8 overall and 1-0 in MAC with the triumph, while Kent State fell to 2-10 overall and 0-1 in MAC play.

Senior Kayla Gwozdz (Temperance, Mich.) led the Zips' offense recording 12 kills and three service aces, followed by senior Jessica Kloehn (Milwaukee, Wis.) and sophomore Elya Karsner (Frankfort, Ky.) with seven kills apiece.

Junior Abbey Pawlak (Sylvania, Ohio) led Akron's defense with 15 digs followed by freshman Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) with 12 kills. Freshman Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) recorded a match-high five service aces and a team-high 33 assists.

In the first set, Kent State's offense got off to quick 5-2 lead before the Zips used a 5-2 run to tie the frame at seven. Akron took the lead with the help of a 4-1 scoring run making it 14-11 in the Zips favor. The Golden Flashes stuck around and tied the set at 14 before scoring three-straight points that put them ahead, 24-22. With Kent State having set point, the Zips capitalized on a Kent State service error and a kill by Gwozdz to tie the set at 24 all, but a Kill from Kent State's Heather Younkin secured a 27-25 set victory for the Golden Flashes.

Akron started off the second set with an early 7-3 lead. The Golden Flashes used three-straight points to cut the Zips' lead to 13-10. Akron's offense ignited and went on an 8-2 scoring run that gave it a 22-14 lead over Kent State. During that run, Weigand added a pair of points from two of her five service aces of the match. A kill from Kloehn provided the Zips the 25-15 set win.

In the third set, the Golden Flashes led the stanza, 13-11, before Akron's offense went on a 7-1 run to give them its first lead of the game, 17-14. Three attack errors by Kent State put the Zips ahead 23-17, before a service ace from Gwozdz gave Akron set-point. A bad set from Kent State's Brittney Jakscht provided the Zips the set three win.

The final set was a battle between both teams, as there were 11 tied scores during the set and six-lead changes. With Akron leading 16-12, Kent State used a 5-2 run to come within one point of the Zips. The Golden Flashes' offense continued to score and went ahead 23-21. Two Kent State attack errors tied the set at 23 all before a service ace from Weigand and a kill from Gwozdz gave the Zips the 25-23 match victory.

Akron led the match statistically with a .137 hitting percentage to Kent State's .109. The Zips also had a total of 14 service aces compared to the Golden Flash's six. Kent State was out-blocked by Akron 13-to-6.

Akron continues its homestand against Ohio on Saturday at James A. Rhodes arena in a 5 p.m. contest.