Akron Volleyball Pulls Off Miraculous Comeback Over Ball State

Saturday, September 28

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

8-2

Ball State

7-6

Ball St.

Akron

Akron Volleyball Pulls Off Miraculous Comeback Over Ball State

September 28 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

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Box Score (PDF)

Akron Volleyball Pulls Off Miraculous Comeback Over Ball State

Akron, Ohio - Akron Volleyball earned its second conference win of the season, as it came back from down two to win in a five-set thriller, (21-25, 20-25, 25-16, 25-22, 18-16).

"This was a great win for our program that was based on serve and pass. Our passing was solid all night and our serving improved dramatically from the third set on, to put us right in the match. We were resilient and composed as the match went on, and found a way to create a win" said head coach Tom Hanna.

The Zips improved to 9-4 (2-0 MAC), while Ball State fell to 7-7 (1-1 MAC).

Offensively, senior Elya Karsner (Frankfort, Ky.) lead the way with 17 kills. Also contributing was junior Alexis Adleta (West Chester, Ohio) with 15 kills. Junior setter Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) dished out 52 assists while adding nine kills of her own.

Leading the way on defense was junior defensive specialist Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) and Adleta who finished with 24 and 16 digs, respectively.

The first set saw solid volleyball from both teams, as the point differential never grew larger than six. Midway through the set, the Cardinals were able to gain a 15-9 lead over the Zips. Akron would respond by rattling off six points of its own, capped off with a kill by Adleta, tying the match at 15. After a side out by the Cardinals put them ahead, they were able to maintain the lead for the remainder of the set, winning 25-21.

The second set followed suit of the first, as the point differential stayed within four points for the entirety of the set. There was much back-and-forth scoring throughout, however after an ace by Shelby Fulmer gave Akron an early lead, Ball State was able to retake the lead and not look back, winning 25-20.

Akron, however, would not go down without a fight. The Zips found themselves down 9-6 early in the third set, however they'd go on to take four of the next five points and tie the game at 10. After a quick side out by Ball State, Akron responded with a vengeance, scoring on nine of the next 10 points, re-taking the lead, 19-12. Any potential comeback was ended by the Zips, who ended the set on a four-point scoring run, capped off with a kill by Weigand to come out on top, 25-16.

The resilient Zips looked to carry its momentum into the fourth set, and they did just that. The Zips took an early 6-1 lead over the Cardinals, thanks to a block by sophomore Megan Kelly (Lakewood, Ill.), and Adleta.

Akron was able to maintain its lead for the majority of the set, however a late push by Ball State brought them within one, 23-22. A block by Karnser, followed up with a kill by Karsner clinched the fourth set and sent the match to five sets.

The fifth set was one to remember. The Cardinals gained an early 5-1 lead over the Zips, and were able to take the lead, 8-5, heading into the side-switch. After increasing the lead to 9-5, Akron responded by winning four of the next five points, bringing them within one. The two teams would trade side outs for the next couple points, until an ace by Taylor Kuruzovich (Port Matilda, Pa.) tied the game at 12.

The turning point occurred with Ball State up 14-13, as a strong attack by Adleta was called out and seemingly ended the match. HOWEVER, a challenge by head coach Tom Hanna resulted in the call being overturned as the down referee proceeded to call a block touch on Ball State. This re-tied the match at 14.

After an attack error by Ball State gave Akron match point, the Cardinals responded with two points of their own and gave them match point, 17-16. The Zips, determined to come back, were able to rattle of three points of their own, thanks to a kill by Adleta, a kill by Karsner and a match-clinching attack error by the Cardinals.

UP NEXT FOR THE ZIPS
Akron returns to action on Friday, Oct. 4th, as they head to Bowling Green, Ohio to take on Bowling Green State at 6 p.m.