Zips Defeat SFU and YSU in Straight Sets to Open Season Flawless, 2-0

Friday, August 27

Youngstown, Ohio

2 PM

University of Akron

1-0,0-0MAC

Saint Francis (PA)

0-1,0-0NEC

Saint Francis (PA)

Akron

Zips Defeat SFU and YSU in Straight Sets to Open Season Flawless, 2-0

August 27 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Zips Defeat SFU and YSU in Straight Sets to Open Season Flawless, 2-0
Follow Akron Volleyball on Facebook and Twitter

Akron vs SFU Box Score (pdf) | Akron at YSU Box Score (pdf) | Tournament Central | Tournament Preview

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Akron Zips registered a pair of victories to open the 2021 season, winning the season opener 3-0 over St. Francis and following with a 3-0 triumph over Youngstown State at the YSU DoubleTree-Youngstown Volleyball Invitational on Friday.

The unblemished start to the season marks the first time since 2013 that Akron opened with consecutive wins – the 2013 squad started the season with a 4-0 record.

In the first match, Akron defeated SFU by scores of 25-19, 26-24 and 25-22 as senior LS Alexis Adleta (West Chester, Ohio) and sophomore LS/RS Faith Johnson (Naperville, Ill.) powered the Zips' offense with double-digit kills. Adleta recorded 15 kills and posted a team-best .367 hitting percentage, while Johnson floored 11 points with a .267 percentage. Both, Adleta and Johnson were targeted 30 times.

Senior S Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) tossed 35 of the Zips' 40 assists, while senior libero Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) anchored the defense with 17 of the team's 31 digs.

The defense above the net had a strong showing as Akron tallied nine total blocks led by senior MB Megan Kelly (Lakewood, Ill.) with five block assists and one solo rejection. Adleta, Johnson, senior RS Teagan Ochaya (Mentor, Ohio) and freshman MB Karleighana Jones (White Plains, N.Y.) added two block assists apiece. Ochaya also contributed eight kills.

Akron claimed the nightcap in three consecutive sets by scores of 25-23, 25-14 and 25-23. Ochaya paced the Zips' offense with 13 kills and a .375 hitting percentage. She added a team-best eight block assists as the Blue and Gold denied 10 YSU attacks. Adleta and Johnson added to the Zips' offensive power by flooring seven kills each. Weigand tossed 26 assists.

Jones supported the defensive effort in her collegiate debut with six block assist and a solo block, while Weigand led the ground effort with 17 digs.

Akron is scheduled to be back in action at the YSU DoubleTree-Youngstown Volleyball Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 28 at noon against Duquesne at the Beeghly Center. The match is slated to be aired live on YouTube.com/YSUsports or fans can follow the action via live stats on GoZips.com.