The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, August 26
Akron, Ohio
3:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Eastern Illinois University
Akron Volleyball Opens 2022 Campaign with Top Dawg Challenge
August 25 | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, Ohio-Â The Akron volleyball team will kick off the 2022 season with the Top Dawg Challenge hosted by Butler. The Zips will face Eastern Illinois on Friday, Aug. 26 at 3 p.m., followed by closing out the tournament on Saturday, Aug. 27 with Oakland (3 p.m.) and Butler (6 p.m.).
GAME COVERAGE
Akron vs. Eastern Illinois
Live Stats:Â http://statb.us/b/420187
Akron vs. Oakland
Live Stats:Â https://bit.ly/3pMzjkQ
Akron vs. Butler
Live Stats:Â https://bit.ly/3PYEFEk
Watch:Â https://www.youtube.com/butlerathletics
ABOUT THE ZIPS
Akron opens its first year under head coach Tyson Norton. Last season, the Zips finished The Zips went 10-20 (4-14 MAC) a season ago to finish sixth in the east division and 12th in the conference overall. The Zips return 10 players from last season including junior Faith Johnson (Naperville, Ill.) who had 232 kills, averaging 2.21 kills per set, senior Teagan Ochaya (Mentor, Ohio) with 279 kills, averaging 2.79 kills per set, and sophomore Karleighana Jones (White Plains, N.Y.) who led the squad with 81 total blocks.
The Zips welcome two freshmen in Chloe Werner (Waterford, Wisc.) and Avery Brown (Decatur, Ga.) while bringing in three transfers in Samantha Sabra (San Pedro, Calif.), Mia Thompson (Delaware, Ohio), and Matalasi Danielson (Stockton, Calif.).
SCOUTING EASTERN ILLINOIS
The Panthers return 12 players from a team that reached the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament for the first time since the 2017 season with an 11-18 record (4-14 OVC). Among the returners are the team leaders in assists (Summerlyn Smith, 785), blocks (Emily Wilcox, 81), and digs (Christina Martinez Mundo, 313). Eastern Illinois led the OVC in aces/set with 1.54 (168 total) in 2021. Wilcox finished fourth in the conference in hitting percentage at .278 last season.
This will be the third time the Panthers and Zips meet with the all-time series tied 1-1. The last time the two teams met was back in 1991.
SCOUTING OAKLAND
The Golden Grizzlies posted a 15-15 record (9-9 Horizon League) to finish sixth in the conference a season ago. Oakland returns team leaders in assists (AnnaBelle Tomei, 501), aces (Emily Wichmann, 25), and blocks (Jessica Riedl, 106). The 2021 roster finished second in the conference with 15.95 digs/set (1,771 total) and third with 2.15 blocks/set (239 total). Head coach Krista Rice enters her first season leading the program.
The two teams will be meeting for the sixth time with Akron holding a 4-1 all-time series advantage. The two teams met last season with Oakland earning a victory of 3-0.
SCOUTING BUTLER
The Bulldogs finished 16-16 overall and 10-8 in league play last season, hitting double-digit wins in conference play for the fifth time in eight full seasons. Both Jaymeson Kinley and graduate transfer Maddie Renn won a major conference award last fall, with Kinley claiming the 2021 Big East Libero of the Year and Renn notching the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year. Outside hitter Mariah Grunze will look to build on a breakout rookie campaign that saw her land on the All-Big East Freshman Team, which was the first time a Bulldog has been awarded the honor since joining the conference in 2013.
The two teams will be meeting for the sixth time as Butler leads the all-time series 4-1, winning the last four meetings.
ABOUT ZIPS ATHLETICS
Founded in 1870, The University of Akron (UA) is one of Ohio's most influential public urban research universities, conducting high-quality research in focused areas of excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy, and providing a workforce highly trained in diverse disciplines. The University offers more than 200 degree programs, including unique, highly ranked associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and law degrees — with accreditations by 35 professional agencies. UA is focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, investment in the community, and economic growth. Akron sponsors 17 NCAA Division I sports with more than 500 student-athletes. Learn more at gozips.com.
 Be sure to follow  Akron volleyball  on Twitter (@ZipsVB) and Facebook.
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GAME COVERAGE
Akron vs. Eastern Illinois
Live Stats:Â http://statb.us/b/420187
Akron vs. Oakland
Live Stats:Â https://bit.ly/3pMzjkQ
Akron vs. Butler
Live Stats:Â https://bit.ly/3PYEFEk
Watch:Â https://www.youtube.com/butlerathletics
ABOUT THE ZIPS
Akron opens its first year under head coach Tyson Norton. Last season, the Zips finished The Zips went 10-20 (4-14 MAC) a season ago to finish sixth in the east division and 12th in the conference overall. The Zips return 10 players from last season including junior Faith Johnson (Naperville, Ill.) who had 232 kills, averaging 2.21 kills per set, senior Teagan Ochaya (Mentor, Ohio) with 279 kills, averaging 2.79 kills per set, and sophomore Karleighana Jones (White Plains, N.Y.) who led the squad with 81 total blocks.
The Zips welcome two freshmen in Chloe Werner (Waterford, Wisc.) and Avery Brown (Decatur, Ga.) while bringing in three transfers in Samantha Sabra (San Pedro, Calif.), Mia Thompson (Delaware, Ohio), and Matalasi Danielson (Stockton, Calif.).
SCOUTING EASTERN ILLINOIS
The Panthers return 12 players from a team that reached the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament for the first time since the 2017 season with an 11-18 record (4-14 OVC). Among the returners are the team leaders in assists (Summerlyn Smith, 785), blocks (Emily Wilcox, 81), and digs (Christina Martinez Mundo, 313). Eastern Illinois led the OVC in aces/set with 1.54 (168 total) in 2021. Wilcox finished fourth in the conference in hitting percentage at .278 last season.
This will be the third time the Panthers and Zips meet with the all-time series tied 1-1. The last time the two teams met was back in 1991.
SCOUTING OAKLAND
The Golden Grizzlies posted a 15-15 record (9-9 Horizon League) to finish sixth in the conference a season ago. Oakland returns team leaders in assists (AnnaBelle Tomei, 501), aces (Emily Wichmann, 25), and blocks (Jessica Riedl, 106). The 2021 roster finished second in the conference with 15.95 digs/set (1,771 total) and third with 2.15 blocks/set (239 total). Head coach Krista Rice enters her first season leading the program.
The two teams will be meeting for the sixth time with Akron holding a 4-1 all-time series advantage. The two teams met last season with Oakland earning a victory of 3-0.
SCOUTING BUTLER
The Bulldogs finished 16-16 overall and 10-8 in league play last season, hitting double-digit wins in conference play for the fifth time in eight full seasons. Both Jaymeson Kinley and graduate transfer Maddie Renn won a major conference award last fall, with Kinley claiming the 2021 Big East Libero of the Year and Renn notching the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year. Outside hitter Mariah Grunze will look to build on a breakout rookie campaign that saw her land on the All-Big East Freshman Team, which was the first time a Bulldog has been awarded the honor since joining the conference in 2013.
The two teams will be meeting for the sixth time as Butler leads the all-time series 4-1, winning the last four meetings.
ABOUT ZIPS ATHLETICS
Founded in 1870, The University of Akron (UA) is one of Ohio's most influential public urban research universities, conducting high-quality research in focused areas of excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy, and providing a workforce highly trained in diverse disciplines. The University offers more than 200 degree programs, including unique, highly ranked associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and law degrees — with accreditations by 35 professional agencies. UA is focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, investment in the community, and economic growth. Akron sponsors 17 NCAA Division I sports with more than 500 student-athletes. Learn more at gozips.com.
 Be sure to follow  Akron volleyball  on Twitter (@ZipsVB) and Facebook.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
OH/OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
LS/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
RS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
RH
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