Akron Volleyball Falls to Kent State in Straight Sets

Friday, November 15

Kent, OH

6 PM

University of Akron

16-10, 9-6MAC

Kent State

14-13, 7-8MAC

Akron

Kent State

Photo by: Ernie Aranyosi

Akron Volleyball Falls to Kent State in Straight Sets

November 15 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

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Box Score (PDF)

KENT, Ohio – Akron volleyball fell to rival Kent State 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 26-24) Friday night in Kent, Ohio.

With the loss, Akron falls to 16-10 (9-6 MAC), while Kent State improves to 14-13 (7-8 MAC).

"Unfortunately, we didn't position ourselves well with our serve receive early in the match. It's been a strong suit for us all year and was problematic tonight. I liked how we were able to rebound and be more competitive in the match in the final two sets. But at the end of the day, we need to be more competitive throughout the entire match" said head coach Tom Hanna.

Leading the way offensively was junior Alexis Adleta (West Chester, Ohio) and senior Ashley Richardson (Doylestown, Ohio), who finished with nine and eight kills, respectively. Junior setter Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) dished out 28 assists while adding five blocks and three aces.

Defensively, junior Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) and sophomore Teagan Ochaya (Mentor, Ohio) paced the back row with 10 digs each. Richardson also added six blocks (1 solo, 5 assists).

The Zips struggled to find its groove in the first set, finding themselves down 5-1 early. The deficit later increased to 14-7, until winning four of six points decreased the deficit to 16-11.

Kent State maintained its lead, taking the first set, 25-16.

The Zips had a much stronger showing in the second set, gaining an early 5-1 lead, thanks to two kills by sophomore Megan Kelly (Lakewood, Ill.) and two kills by Adleta, as well as an ace by Richardson. The Golden Flashes responded by taking 10 of the next 12 points, re-taking the lead, 11-7.

The remainder of the set went neck-and-neck, as there were eight ties. Akron took a late 21-20 lead thanks to freshman Lauren Latka (Zionsville, Ind.) who served her first career ace in conference play. Kent State was able to take the final six points consecutively, coming out on top, 25-21.

Akron had another strong showing early in the third set, as it was able to put together a six-point run, thanks to three aces by Weigand, as well as kills by Karsner, Ochaya, and Kelly. The set found itself tied at the midway point, until a five-point run by the Zips put them ahead, 18-13.

The Golden Flashes responded well once again, taking eight of the next nine points and re-taking the lead, 21-19. A late kill by Karsner tied the set at 24, until Kent State took the final two points, winning the set 26-24, and ultimately the match.

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With the loss to Kent State, Kent State was awarded .5 point towards the rivalry's final score. The two teams split the regular-season battle, and the overall score is now tied at 2.

The Zips will conclude their regular season on Saturday, Nov. 16, as they hit the road to take on Ohio at 5 p.m.