Zips Fall in Five-Set Battle With Toledo - University of Akron Athletics

Saturday, September 30

Toledo, OH

5 p.m.

University of Akron

6-10 (2-2MAC)

Toledo

7-9 (2-2MAC)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Akron	25	21	16	25	9	2
Toledo	14	25	25	21	15	3

Box Score (PDF)

September 30 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

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Box Score (PDF)

TOLEDO, Ohio- The University of Akron volleyball team fell in a five-set decision (25-14, 21-25, 16-25, 25-21, 9-15) against Toledo on Saturday night in Toledo, Ohio.

The Zips' record dropped to 6-10 overall on the season and 2-2 in Mid-American Conference play, while the Rockets improved to 7-9 overall and 2-2 in league play.

Junior Kayla Gwozdz (Temperance, Mich.) led the Zips with a double-double performance registering a match-high 19 kills to go along with 16 digs, and four aces. Junior Madi Baer (Stow, Ohio) followed closely behind with 15 kills. Akron's freshman Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) notched a match-high 47 assists, while fellow freshman Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) recorded 15 digs.

The Zips dominated the first set working pin-to-pin allowing them to get off to an 8-2 early lead. Akron extended its lead to 16-7, before Toledo's offense was able to spark a 4-1 run that cut the Zips' lead to 17-11. A Toledo attack error and a bad set from the Rocket's Carly Townsend, set UA in position to close out a 25-14 set one victory. Gwozdz posted six kills, adding to the Zips' .324 hitting percentage.

Toledo's offense turned up the heat in the second set getting off to a quick 3-0 lead. Akron maintained within striking distance of the Rockets trailing by two, 17-15, before Toledo went on a 6-2 scoring run that gave the Rockets a 23-17 lead. Akron was able to put together a clutch 3-1 run keeping them within striking distance of the Rockets, but Toledo took the 25-21 second set win.

The Rocket's continued their second-set momentum as they led the Zips 11-7 before using an 8-2 run to extend their lead to 18-8. With the Rockets at match-point, Akron battled back scoring six-straight points, but Toledo took the third set to extend its 2-1 set advantage.

In a must-win fourth set for the Zips to stay alive, Akron jumped out to a 5-2 lead. With the scored tied at nine-all, the Zips took off with a 5-1 run to put them ahead 14-10. Toledo closed the Zips' lead to one after 4-2 scoring run, but Akron continued their offensive striking with a 5-1 run which gave the Zips a 23-18 advantage. Toledo got a side-out call, followed by an ace making it 24-12 in the Zips' favor, but a kill from Gwozdz forced a deciding fifth set.

Toledo got off to an early 4-1 lead over the Zips, but Akron was able to regain the lead scoring four-straight points. Toledo used a 5-1 scoring run to gave it a 10-5 lead before a service error on the Rockets gave the Zips the ball back. With the Rocket's leading 12-9, Toledo secured the match victory completing three-consecutive kills for a 15-9 decision.

Akron continues its road play traveling to Oxford, Ohio, on Oct. 6, for a match against Miami (Ohio) at 7 p.m., followed by taking on Bowling Green, Oct. 7, at 5 p.m. in Bowling Green, Ohio.