Akron Volleyball Makes it Nine in a Row, Sweeps MAC Preseason Favorite Miami

Saturday, October 5

Oxford, OH

5 PM

University of Akron

11-4

Miami (OH)

7-8

Akron

Miami (OH)

Akron Volleyball Makes it Nine in a Row, Sweeps MAC Preseason Favorite Miami

October 05 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

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Box Score (PDF)

OXFORD, Ohio – Akron volleyball was able to increase its winning streak to nine games, defeating Miami (OH.) in straight sets (25-22, 25-21, 25-18) on Saturday evening. The win marks the first victory over Miami in seven years (2012). It also marks the Zips' first 4-0 league start since 2010.

With the win, the Zips improve to 11-4 (4-0 MAC), while the RedHawks fell to 7-8 (2-2 MAC).

"I continue to be impressed with our maturity and composure. You combine those things with playing fairly consistently at a good level, it shows that we have the ability to be a competitive team in this league" said head coach Tom Hanna.

On the offensive side, juniors Shelby Fulmer (Perrysburg, Ohio) and Alexis Adleta (West Chester, Ohio) led the way with 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Setter Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) dished out 27 assists while adding 3 kills of her own.

Defensively, junior libero Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) paced the back-row defense with 11 digs, while senior Ashley Richardson (Doylestown, Ohio) had a strong match at the net with 7 total blocks (two solo, five assists).

The Zips began the first set on a high note, opening with three consecutive points, thanks to an error by the RedHawks, followed by a kill by Fulmer and a block by seniors Elya Karsner (Frankfort, Ky.) and Richardson. With Akron later holding a 15-12 lead, it was able to rattle of three more consecutive points, thanks to kills by Richardson and Weigand, as well as a block by Richardson and Adleta.

The RedHawks made a late push to decrease the lead to 23-22, however after a service error placed Akron at set point, a kill by Richardson clinched the first-set victory, 25-22.

The second set was a hard-fought battle that involved nine ties. After much back-and-forth scoring early, Miami was able to take a 12-8 lead over the Zips. Akron would respond in a great way, taking six of the next seven points, putting it back on top, 14-13.

After tying the game on the next couple side outs, the Zips were able to take the lead and hold on for the remainder of the set, taking it 25-21.

Akron came out firing in the third set, which began with an ace by Sharrits. After rattling off four more points, the Zips found themselves up 5-0, prompting a timeout by the RedHawks. The lead for the Zips continued to grow, reaching its high point with the Zips ahead by 10 (18-8).

A kill by Adleta eventually clinched the set, 25-18, and ultimately the match.

The Zips return to James A. Rhodes Arena on Friday, Oct. 11 to face Ohio at 7 p.m. This will be followed up by a homecoming weekend matchup against conference rival Kent State on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.