The University of Akron Athletics

Zips Fall to Cleveland State in Home Opener
September 04 | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, Ohio -The Akron volleyball team jumped ahead 1-0, but fell 3-1 (27-25, 21-25, 22-25, 21-25) to the Cleveland State Vikings Wednesday at home at James A Rhodes Arena on Wednesday.
The Zips were led by a double-double from Lauren Baker, who registered 18 kills and 12 digs on the day. Karleighana Jones also added nine kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Vanessa Del Real chipped in with 16 digs while Ellen Kinnaird added five blocks.
The non-conference loss moves Akron to 1-2 on the season.
Game Notes
» Akron had four players in double figures in digs.
» Ellen Kinnaird had a match-high two aces in the loss.
» Baker registered a double-double with 18 kills and 12 digs
» Baker had a team-high 18 kills for Akron.
» Akron got a team-high 16 digs from Del Real.
» Akron attackers were helped by a team-high 29 assists from Eliska Vytiskova.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Zips survived a back-and-forth first set to win 27-25 in a stanza that featured six lead changes and was tied 17 times. Neither team led by more than three points in the match.
SET 2 | Akron fell in set two 25-21 to even the match 1-1. The Zips couldn't endure a ferocious Cleveland State rally in the second set, losing after leading by seven points at 10-3 earlier in the set.
SET 3 | A third-set loss put Akron behind two sets to one. The Zips dropped the set 25-22 despite a solid showing on the attacking side. Akron registered a .303 attack percentage with 14 kills in the set loss.
SET 4 | Akron lost set four and the match, falling 25-21. The Zips trailed by as many as seven points as Cleveland State grabbed the advantage for good at 2-1 and Akron was never able to recover in a set that was knotted up just once before the Vikings took over the lead.
What's Next?
The Zips return to James A Rhodes Arena on Friday, September 6 to face Wyoming at 6 pm.



















