The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, September 23
DeKalb, IL
6:00 PM
University of Akron
at
Northern Illinois University
Zips Open MAC Play at Northern Illinois
September 23 | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, Ohio - The Akron volleyball team opens Mid-American Conference play at Northern Illinois on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23-24, in DeKalb, Ill. at Victor E. Court. The series opening match on Friday is slated for a 7 p.m. start followed by a 3Â p.m. start on Saturday -- both times Eastern Standard. Fans can follow both matches on NIU All-Access for a fee or via live stats at GoZips.com
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FRIDAY, SEPT. 23
 Akron at Northern Illinois | 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) | Victor E. Court | NIU All-Access | Live Stats
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SATURDAY, SEPT. 24
Akron at Northern Illinois | 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT) | Victor E. Court | NIU All-Access | Live Stats
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ABOUT THE ZIPS
Akron, under first-year head coach Tyson Norton stands 3-8 overall after falling to Youngstown State (0-3) and Cleveland State (2-3) last weekend. The Zips entered the Horizon League crossover weekend after a 2-1 showing at the Akron Invitational. The Zips defeated Cleveland State (3-2) and Morgan State (3-0) and fell to Valparaiso (1-3). Teagan Ochaya and Faith Johnson lead the Zips attack with 154 and 112 kills, respectively. Baylee Vought adds to the offensive efforts with 218 assists followed by Avery Brown with 141 assists. Vought has issued 12 service aces for a team-best, while Ochaya and Johnson delivered 11 apiece. Defensively, Ochaya and Johnson also lead the squad in the digs category with 119 and 103. In addition, Lauren Latka has recorded 103 digs. Karleighana Jones, Ellen Kinnaird and Jayda Young provide the arial defense with 27 blocks each, closely followed by Ochaya (24) and Johnson (15).
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SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
The Huskies are 7-3 overall and enter the Mid-American Conference weekend on a two-match winning streak, defeating Rhode Island (3-1) and Southern Indiana (3-0) at the NIU Invitational last weekend. Francesca Bertucci was named MAC Player of the Week for the second-consecutive time. She recorded for 57 digs (8.14/set) and paces the MAC while ranking fourth nationally with 5.63 digs/set. Ella Mihacevich is third in the MAC and 22nd nationally with 10.60 assists/set. Charli Atiemo is sixth in the league with her .329 hitting percentage while Sammi Lockwood is seventh at .327.
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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.
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 Be sure to follow Akron volleyball on Twitter (@ZipsVB) and Facebook.
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FRIDAY, SEPT. 23
 Akron at Northern Illinois | 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) | Victor E. Court | NIU All-Access | Live Stats
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SATURDAY, SEPT. 24
Akron at Northern Illinois | 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT) | Victor E. Court | NIU All-Access | Live Stats
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ABOUT THE ZIPS
Akron, under first-year head coach Tyson Norton stands 3-8 overall after falling to Youngstown State (0-3) and Cleveland State (2-3) last weekend. The Zips entered the Horizon League crossover weekend after a 2-1 showing at the Akron Invitational. The Zips defeated Cleveland State (3-2) and Morgan State (3-0) and fell to Valparaiso (1-3). Teagan Ochaya and Faith Johnson lead the Zips attack with 154 and 112 kills, respectively. Baylee Vought adds to the offensive efforts with 218 assists followed by Avery Brown with 141 assists. Vought has issued 12 service aces for a team-best, while Ochaya and Johnson delivered 11 apiece. Defensively, Ochaya and Johnson also lead the squad in the digs category with 119 and 103. In addition, Lauren Latka has recorded 103 digs. Karleighana Jones, Ellen Kinnaird and Jayda Young provide the arial defense with 27 blocks each, closely followed by Ochaya (24) and Johnson (15).
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SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
The Huskies are 7-3 overall and enter the Mid-American Conference weekend on a two-match winning streak, defeating Rhode Island (3-1) and Southern Indiana (3-0) at the NIU Invitational last weekend. Francesca Bertucci was named MAC Player of the Week for the second-consecutive time. She recorded for 57 digs (8.14/set) and paces the MAC while ranking fourth nationally with 5.63 digs/set. Ella Mihacevich is third in the MAC and 22nd nationally with 10.60 assists/set. Charli Atiemo is sixth in the league with her .329 hitting percentage while Sammi Lockwood is seventh at .327.
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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.
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 Be sure to follow Akron volleyball on Twitter (@ZipsVB) and Facebook.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
LS/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
RS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
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