The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
7-5,0-1MAC
Miami
7-6,1-0MAC
Zips Fall 3-2 to Miami (OH)
September 25 | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, Ohio -The Akron volleyball team put together a .301 hitting percentage, but lost in five sets (25-22, 14-25, 26-24, 22-25, 9-15) to the Miami (OH) RedHawks Thursday night at James A Rhodes Arena to open Mid-American Conference action.
The Zips were led by a double-double from Delaney Gash, who registered 23 kills and 13 digs on the day. It was the second 20+ kill performance of the season from Gash and her team-leading third double-double of the season. Maureen Mathews also added 18 kills to help the offense. On the defensive end, Reilly Chausse and Vanessa Del Real chipped in with 14 digs to go with five blocks from Chidera Ozoh. Martina Villani set a new career-high in assists with 59 while also recording nine digs, three blocks and three kills against the RedHawks.
The loss dropped Akron's record to 7-5 overall and 0-1 in MAC action.
Game Notes
» Akron had four players in double figures in digs.
» Akron attackers combined to hit .301 in the match.
» Chausse had a team-high one ace in the loss.
» Gash registered a double-double with 23 kills and 13 digs
» Gash had a match-high 23 kills for Akron.
» Akron got a team-high 14 digs from Chausse and Del Real.
» Akron attackers were helped by a match-high 59 assists from Villani.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Zips earned a set-one victory 25-22 powered by a solid showing on the attacking end. Akron registered a .615 attack percentage with 18 kills in the set victory. After the lead changed hands one time, the Zips took control for good at 9-8 and rode that advantage to victory.
SET 2 | Akron fell in set two 25-14 to tie the match 1-1. Akron trailed by as many as 12 points as Miami (OH) grabbed the advantage for good at 3-2 in a set that was tied up two times before the RedHawks took over the lead.
SET 3 | Akron bounced back following the set-two loss to take set three and a 2-1 lead in the match. The Zips took the set 26-24 helped by a strong performance on the attacking end. Akron put together a .380 attack percentage with 21 kills in the set win. After the lead changed hands six times, the Zips took control for good at 25-24 and rode that advantage to victory.
SET 4 | Akron couldn't finish off a four-set win as the RedHawks forced a fifth set with a 25-22 victory. Miami (OH) grabbed the advantage for good at 7-6 and Akron was never able to recover in a set that was tied up seven times before the RedHawks took over the lead.
SET 5 | Akron and Miami (OH) went back and forth all game, trading wins in the first three sets until the RedHawks took sets four and five, including winning the fifth set 15-9, and the match. The Zips fell behind by as many as seven points before losing the fifth set.
What's Next?
The Zips battle Ball State on Friday, September 26 at James A. Rhodes Arena.
