Zips to Host Ball State and Toledo

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AKRON, Ohio- The Akron Volleyball team (8-8, 2-2 MAC) will host a pair of conference matches with Ball State (13-3, 3-1 MAC) and Toledo (12-4, 3-1 MAC). The Zips will face Ball State at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, followed by Toledo on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 4 p.m.

GAME COVERAGE
Akron vs. Ball State | Friday, Oct.8 |7PM
Live Stats: https://bit.ly/3ahRDuc
ESPN+: https://es.pn/3oHiZlS
Tickets: Single Game Tickets

Akron vs. Toledo | Saturday, Oct. 9 | 4 PM
Live Stats: https://bit.ly/3ahRDuc
Tickets: Single Game Tickets

COVID-19 Guidelines for James A. Rhodes Arena and the Stile Athletics Field House
• No requirement to be vaccinated to enter James A. Rhodes Arena and/or the Stile Athletics Field House.
• Regardless of vaccination status, spectators and guests must wear a mask that fully covers the nose and mouth at all indoor spaces including lobbies, elevators, restrooms, hallways, stairways and at their seats unless eating or drinking.

The University currently requires everyone to wear a mask/face covering while in indoor public areas (not private offices and residences) across all campuses.

Masks/facial coverings continue to be required outdoors for unvaccinated individuals when they cannot maintain social distancing.

The University will continue to monitor conditions and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the State of Ohio and Summit County Public Health and adjust masking protocols as needed. Please follow GoZips.com, the Akron Athletics app and all Zips' social media platforms for the most recent and up-to-date information.

ABOUT THE ZIPS
The Akron Zips volleyball team, under the direction of sixth-year head coach Tom Hanna, stand 8-8 overall and 2-2 in conference play overall after sweeping a series with Miami last week, 3-0 and 3-2.

Offensively, the Zips are led by a pair of heavy hitters in seniors Teagan Ochaya (Mentor, Ohio) and Alexis Adleta (West Chester, Ohio) with 187 kills (2.97 per set) and 158 kills (2.87 per set), respectively. Senior Megan Kelly (Lakewood, Ill.) and sophomore Faith Johnson (Naperville, Ill.) follow with 112 and 96 total kills. Setter Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) leads the team with 566 assists (8.98 per set). Johnson leads the squad with a team-best 14 service aces.

Defensively, the Zips have a duo of players with over 100 digs in senior Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) with 245 digs, and Weigand with 155. Above the net, Kelly holds a team-high 52 blocks, while freshman Karleighana Jones (White Plains, N.Y.) and Ochaya have blocked 47 and 41, respectively.

LAST TIME OUT
Akron swept the series with Miami (OH) in two games with a 3-0 and 3-2 victory last week.

After her performance against Miami, Adleta was named this week's MAC East Offensive Player of the Week. In the series opener, Adleta led the Zips' offensive efforts with 12 kills on 28 swings and finished the match with a .286 hitting percentage. In the five-set comeback victory, Adleta notched a match-high 23 kills on 48 swings for a .417 hitting percentage. Through two games, Adleta secured 35 kills while hitting .368. Adleta also had 18 digs and two blocks.

In addition to Adleta's performance, Weigand eclipsed the 4,000 career assists threshold ranking No.4 on the program's all-time assist leaderboard.

SCOUTING BALL STATE
The Cardinals, under 6th-year head coach Kelli Miller Phillips currently sit at 13-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play after sweeping Ohio, 3-2 and 3-0 last week.

Offensively, the Cardinals are led by a pair of heavy hitters in Jaclyn Bulmahn and Natalie Mitchem with 178 kills (2.92 per set) and 161 kills (2.60 per set), respectively. Marie Plitt and Lauren Gilliland follow with 140 and 117 total kills. Setter Megan Wielonski leads the team with 628 assists (10.13 per set) while distributing a team-best 30 service aces.

Defensively, the Cardinals have four players with over 100 digs as Kate Vinson leads the way with 214 (3.45 per set), followed by Natalie Risi with 180 (2.90 per set), Wielonski with 163(2.63 per set) and Havyn Gates, 111 (2.02 per set). Above the net, the Cardinals are led by Gilliland in total blocks with 43.

SERIES VS. BALL STATE
Ball State leads the all-time series over Akron, 37-5. Last season, the Zips fell, 3-0 and 3-1 against Ball State.

SCOUTING TOLEDO
The Rockets, under 11th-year head coach Jason Oliver currently sit at 12-4 overall and 3-1 in conference play after sweeping Kent State, in three sets for both matches last week.

Offensively, the Rockets are led by a pair of heavy hitters in Taylor Alt and Uluave, Sinalauli'I with 203 kills (3.69 per set) and 129 kills (2.58 per set), respectively. Olivia Vance follows with 120 total kills. Setter Elaine Redman leads the team with 387 assists (7.04 per set). Taylor Alt has a team-high 24 service aces.

Defensively, the Rockets have four players with over 100 digs as Ryann Jaqua leads the way with 260 (5.00 per set), followed by Taylor with 128 (2.33 per set), Uluave with 126 (2.52 per set) and Redman with 122 (2.22 per set). Above the net, the Rockets are led by Vance in total blocks with 40, followed by Rhyenne Filisi with 44.

SERIES VS. TOLEDO
Toledo leads the all-time series over Akron, 29-27. Last season, the Zips defeated the Rockets with two five-set wins (3-2) at home. Akron has won the last four matches against Toledo.

AKRON QUICK HITS

Adleta names this week's MAC East Offensive Player of the Week.
Taylor Sharrits leads the program with 2,128 career-digs
Emily Weigand has secured 4,026 career-assists, ranking No.4 in the program.
As a team, the Zips rank 4th in MAC stats in Service Aces (84)
Emily Weigand ranks 39^th in the country and 6^th in MAC stats in Total Assists (566).
Taylor Sharrits ranks 4^th in MAC Stats in Total Digs (245)

UP NEXT
The Zips will continue conference competition as they host rival Kent State on Friday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 16 at 5 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Alexis Adleta

Faith Johnson

Karleighana Jones

Megan Kelly

Teagan Ochaya

Taylor Sharrits

Emily Weigand

The University of Akron Athletics