Akron Volleyball Falls to Western Michigan, 3-0

Saturday, October 13

Kalamazoo, MI

7 PM

University of Akron

10-9, 2-6MAC

Western Michigan

13-9, 3-5MAC

Akron

Western Michigan

October 13 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Follow Akron Volleyball on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

BOX SCORE (PDF)

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The University of Akron volleyball team fell to Western Michigan, 3-0 (22-25, 19-25, 21-25), in Mid-American Conference action, Saturday night, in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Akron fell 10-9 overall and 2-6 in MAC play, while the Broncos improved to 13-9, 3-5 MAC.

"Once again, we played at a high level for stretches but couldn't keep it going on the final third of each set," said head coach Tom Hanna. "We know that we're capable of winning more matches. We just have to manage some details a little longer to come out the other side with a win."

Junior Ashley Richardson (Doylestown, Ohio) recorded 13 kills on a .480 hitting clip for the Zips, while senior Kayla Gwozdz (Temperance, Mich.) had eight kills. Sophomore Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) coordinated the Zips' attack with 30 set assists. Additionally, Wiegand added six digs, a service ace and a block.

Sophomore Alexis Adleta (West Chester, Ohio) had a team-best eight digs, while sophomore Taylor Kuruzovich (Port Matilda, Pa.) posted six digs. Richardson and Kelly had two blocks apiece for Akron.

Akron outscored the Broncos, 8-2, to begin the opening set. The run was capped off with two kills by freshman Megan Kelly (Lakewood, Ill.) and one from Gwozdz. The Zips maintained its lead, holding a 21-19 edge late into the set. Western Michigan went on a late 5-0 run that led them to a 25-22 win in the first set.

Short runs by each team to open the second set led to an early tie at 7-all. Kills from Adleta and Richardson in addition to a WMU ball handling error set Akron ahead, 10-7. The Zips held a 17-13 lead when the Broncos scored eight-straight points en route to a 25-19 second set win.

Kills from Kelly and Adleta helped Akron to a 9-7 advantage early into the third. An 11-3 run partway through the third set gave the Broncos an 18-12 lead over the Zips. A series of short runs by Akron decreased the deficit to 23-21, however two kills by WMU's Rachel Bontrager would seal the match for the Broncos with a 25-21 win in the final set.

The Zips return home to take on Central Michigan on Friday, Oct. 19, and Eastern Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 20. Akron's match against Central Michigan will be broadcast on ESPN3.