The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, August 25
Charleston, IL
11 AM
University of Akron
vs
Valparaiso
Akron Volleyball Opens 2023 Season at EIU Panther Invitational
August 24 | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron volleyball team led by second-year head coach Tyson Norton opens the 2023 campaign at the Eastern Illinois Panther Invitational on Friday-Saturday, Aug. 25-26.
GAME INFO
The Panther Invitational features host Eastern Illinois, Louisiana at Monroe and Valparaiso, as the Zips play three matches in two days. Akron opens the season on Friday at 11 a.m. against Valpo and plays again at 3 p.m. versus ULM. On Saturday, the Zips share the court with the hosts EIU at 3 p.m.
Fans can follow the action live on ESPN+ or via live stats on GoZips.com.
ABOUT THE ZIPS
The 17-member Akron roster features nine returning letterwinners and eight newcomers. The squad is anchored by seniors OH Faith Johnson (Naperville, Ill.) and DS Mia Thompson (Delaware, Ohio) followed by juniors RS/OH Genevieve Hara (Imperial Beach, Calif.), MB Karleighana Jones (White Plains, N.Y.), MB Ellen Kinnaird (Lewis Center, Ohio), sophomores S Avery Brown (Decatur, Ga.), OH Samantha Sabra (San Pedro, Calif.), S Baylee Vought (Fort Mill, S.C.) and RS/OH Chloe Werner (Waterford, Wisc.). The list of newcomers includes three transfers in juniors RS/OH Lauren Baker (Osceola, Ind.), OH Emanouela Christodoulou (Eretria, Greece) and MB Melisa Tore (Istanbul, Turkey) and five freshmen as RS/OH Sarah Bettis (Blissfield, Mich.), DS Vanessa Del Real (Crown Point, Ind.), MB Chidera Ozoh (Hazel Crest, Ill.), DS Sophie Twigg (Sylvania, Ohio) and S Eliska Vytiskova (Ostrava, Czech Republic) prepare for collegiate competition. Last season the Zips posted a 6-23 overall mark and 3-15 in league play. Johnson finished second in kills (317) and service aces (26) a season ago and is the returning dig leader with 221. The Zips were selected to finish sixth in the MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
Valparaiso posted a solid 22-11 record in 2022 and made an appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship. Players to watch include senior middle hitter Mallory Januski and sophomore libero Emma Hickey. Januski recorded 225 kills a season ago with a .353 hit percentage along with 122 blocks, while Hickey posted a team leading 735 digs.
Louisiana Monroe finished last season with an overall record of 7-25. The Warhawks are led by MB Logan Jeffus and S Bailey Roberson. Jeffus was second on the team in kills (211) and blocks (57.0), while Roberson was top five on the team in four categories, including a team-high 832 assists and 33 service aces.
Eastern Illinois finished 16-16 overall and 10-8 in Ohio Valley Conference play last season. The Panthers return three All-OVC selections, including the 2022 Player of the Year Giovana Larregui Lopez, Kaitlyn Flynn, and Christina Martinez Mundo. Larregui Lopez led the team in kills (405), while Flynn registered a team-best kills per set (4.10) and Martinez Mundo paced the squad in digs (598). The Panthers also return their top setter, Catalina Rochaix, who recorded 769 assists.
UP NEXT
Akron will travel to Huntington, W.Va. for the Marshall Invitational to play Morehead State, UNC Greensboro and the Thundering Herd on Friday-Saturday, Sept. 1-2.
GAME INFO
The Panther Invitational features host Eastern Illinois, Louisiana at Monroe and Valparaiso, as the Zips play three matches in two days. Akron opens the season on Friday at 11 a.m. against Valpo and plays again at 3 p.m. versus ULM. On Saturday, the Zips share the court with the hosts EIU at 3 p.m.
Fans can follow the action live on ESPN+ or via live stats on GoZips.com.
| Match | Live Stats | ESPN+ |
| Akron vs. Valparaiso (8/25 • 11 AM) | Live Stats | ESPN+ |
| Akron vs. Louisiana Monroe (8/25 • 3 PM) | Live Stats | ESPN+ |
| Akron at EIU (8/26 • 3 PM) | Live Stats | ESPN+ |
ABOUT THE ZIPS
The 17-member Akron roster features nine returning letterwinners and eight newcomers. The squad is anchored by seniors OH Faith Johnson (Naperville, Ill.) and DS Mia Thompson (Delaware, Ohio) followed by juniors RS/OH Genevieve Hara (Imperial Beach, Calif.), MB Karleighana Jones (White Plains, N.Y.), MB Ellen Kinnaird (Lewis Center, Ohio), sophomores S Avery Brown (Decatur, Ga.), OH Samantha Sabra (San Pedro, Calif.), S Baylee Vought (Fort Mill, S.C.) and RS/OH Chloe Werner (Waterford, Wisc.). The list of newcomers includes three transfers in juniors RS/OH Lauren Baker (Osceola, Ind.), OH Emanouela Christodoulou (Eretria, Greece) and MB Melisa Tore (Istanbul, Turkey) and five freshmen as RS/OH Sarah Bettis (Blissfield, Mich.), DS Vanessa Del Real (Crown Point, Ind.), MB Chidera Ozoh (Hazel Crest, Ill.), DS Sophie Twigg (Sylvania, Ohio) and S Eliska Vytiskova (Ostrava, Czech Republic) prepare for collegiate competition. Last season the Zips posted a 6-23 overall mark and 3-15 in league play. Johnson finished second in kills (317) and service aces (26) a season ago and is the returning dig leader with 221. The Zips were selected to finish sixth in the MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
Valparaiso posted a solid 22-11 record in 2022 and made an appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship. Players to watch include senior middle hitter Mallory Januski and sophomore libero Emma Hickey. Januski recorded 225 kills a season ago with a .353 hit percentage along with 122 blocks, while Hickey posted a team leading 735 digs.
Louisiana Monroe finished last season with an overall record of 7-25. The Warhawks are led by MB Logan Jeffus and S Bailey Roberson. Jeffus was second on the team in kills (211) and blocks (57.0), while Roberson was top five on the team in four categories, including a team-high 832 assists and 33 service aces.
Eastern Illinois finished 16-16 overall and 10-8 in Ohio Valley Conference play last season. The Panthers return three All-OVC selections, including the 2022 Player of the Year Giovana Larregui Lopez, Kaitlyn Flynn, and Christina Martinez Mundo. Larregui Lopez led the team in kills (405), while Flynn registered a team-best kills per set (4.10) and Martinez Mundo paced the squad in digs (598). The Panthers also return their top setter, Catalina Rochaix, who recorded 769 assists.
UP NEXT
Akron will travel to Huntington, W.Va. for the Marshall Invitational to play Morehead State, UNC Greensboro and the Thundering Herd on Friday-Saturday, Sept. 1-2.
Players Mentioned
RS/OH
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OH/RS
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L
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OH/RH
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LS/RS
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MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
RH
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