Akron Volleyball Suffers First Conference Loss to Ohio in Four

Friday, October 11

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

11-5,4-1MAC

Ohio

9-9,3-2MAC

Ohio

Akron

Akron Volleyball Suffers First Conference Loss to Ohio in Four

October 11 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Follow Akron Volleyball on Facebook and Twitter

Box Score (PDF)

Akron Volleyball Suffers First Conference Loss to Ohio in Four

AKRON, Ohio – Akron volleyball dropped its first conference match of the season and its first overall loss in over a month, as it fell to Ohio in four sets, (22-25, 27-25, 25-22, 25-22).

With the loss, the Zips fall to 11-5 (4-1 MAC), while the Bobcats improve to 11-7 (3-2 MAC).

"It was unfortunate that we couldn't sustain a higher level of play throughout the match tonight. We did a great job passing the ball but couldn't excel in any other particular skill to separate ourselves from OU and find the point or two we needed in a match that had a total separation of five points.

Leading the way offensively for the Zips were seniors Elya Karsner (Frankfort, Ky.) and Ashley Richardson (Doylestown, Ohio) who finished with 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Setter Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) dished out 43 assists while adding eight kills of her own.

Defensively, junior Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) had a match-high 24 digs, while sophomore Megan Kelly (Lakewood, Ill.) had a strong match at the net with four blocks (two solo, two assists).

The first set saw solid volleyball by both sides. The Zips found themselves down 6-3 early, but were able to respond nicely by rattling off five consecutive points, which included two errors by Ohio as well as a kill and a solo block by junior Alexis Adleta (West Chester, Ohio), as well as a kill by junior Shelby Fulmer (Perrysburg, Ohio).

The remainder of the set saw a lot of back-and-forth scoring, however two late three-point runs by Akron propelled it to take the first set, 25-22.
The second set was closer than the first, which included eight ties. The Zips taking the lead, 5-4. Later in the set, Ohio was able to put together a four-point run, which put them ahead 19-14, its largest lead of the set.

The resilient Zips, however, would not go down without a fight. After trailing 22-17, Akron took four consecutive points, thanks to two kills by Karsner, a kill by Richardson and an error by the Bobcats. After the team traded side outs, the Zips fought hard to re-take the lead, winning three consecutive points which included two kills by Adleta and one by Weigand, which placed Akron at set point.

Ohio was able to respond with three points of its own and take the second set, 27-25.

The third set followed suit of the first two, as Akron found itself down 12-7 midway through the set. From there, the teams would go point for point for the majority of the set until a late five-point run by the Zips brought them within two, 23-21. A kill by Weigand kept the set close, however Ohio was able to take two of the last three points, taking the set 25-22.

In the fourth set, a seven-point run by the Bobcats midway through the set put the Zips in a hole that they slowly crept out of throughout the set. Down 24-19, Akron rattled off three consecutive points, thanks to a pair of kills by Richardson and Adleta, followed up with a block by the aforementioned duo, bringing the Zips within two, 24-22. A kill by Ohio clinched the set 25-22, and ultimately the match.

The Zips return to James A. Rhodes Arena to host Kent State in a Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge and homecoming contest on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m.