The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Northern Illinois
Zips Protect the JAR with 3-2 Win Over NIU
October 24 | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, Ohio - Gabby Brissett notched 15 kills with a .519 attack percentage while Delaney Gash notched 21 kills to help propel the Akron volleyball team to a five-set win (25-20, 19-25, 25-18, 14-25, 15-9) over the Northern Illinois Huskies Friday at James A Rhodes Arena.
The Zips attack was paced by Gash, who finished with 21 kills, her sixth 20+ kill performance of the season, and by Brissett, who tied her career-high of 15 kills while hitting .519. Akron got 26 digs from Vanessa Del Real, which was three off of her career-high, along with five blocks from Chidera Ozoh to lead them defensively. Martina Villani supplied 51 assists against the Huskies, her sixth 50+ assist performance of the season. Jaryn Morgan notched a career-high three aces in the win as well.
The win moved the Zips' record to 10-11 overall and 3-7 in MAC play.
Game Notes
» Brissett was efficient in attacking situations in the match, accumulating 15 kills while hitting .519.
» Morgan had a team-high and career-high three aces in the win.
» Akron never trailed on the way to winning the first set 25-20.
» Akron never trailed on the way to winning the fifth set 15-9.
» Gash had a match-high 21 kills for Akron.
» Akron got a team-high 26 digs from Del Real.
» Akron attackers were helped by a match-high 51 assists from Villani.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Zips grabbed control on the first point and never trailed to win the first set 25-20. Akron led by as many as eight points at 15-7 before closing out the set, totaling 17 kills while only registering two attack errors in the process.
SET 2 | Akron then fell in the second set 25-19, evening things at a set each. Akron trailed by as many as seven points as Northern Illinois grabbed the advantage for good at 17-16 in a set that was tied up five times before the Huskies took over in the second half of the stanza.
SET 3 | Akron bounced back after the second-set loss to grab the third set and a 2-1 lead in the match. The Zips took control of the set early when the score was 3-2 and never trailed to win 25-18. Akron led by as many as 11 points at 23-12 before closing out the stanza, totaling 15 kills .
SET 4 | Akron couldn't finish off a four-set win as the Huskies forced a fifth set with a 25-14 victory. The Zips trailed by as many as 11 points as Northern Illinois grabbed the advantage for good at 15-14 and Akron wasn't able to recover in a set that was knotted up 11 times before the Huskies took over in the second half of the stanza.
SET 5 | Akron and Northern Illinois went back and forth all game, trading set wins until the Zips took the fifth set 15-9 and the match. The Zips scored first and never trailed in the fifth set to secure the victory. Akron opened up as much as a seven point lead at 12-5 before closing out the set.
What's Next?
The Zips and Huskies conclude the series at James A. Rhodes Arena on Saturday, October 25 for a 4 p.m. start.
