The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
7-6,0-2MAC
Ball State
6-8,2-0MAC
Zips Fall to Ball State
September 26 | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, Ohio -The Akron volleyball team fell to the Ball State Cardinals 3-1 (24-26, 17-25, 25-23, 20-25) Friday at home at James A Rhodes Arena.
The Zips were led by a double-double from Delaney Gash, who registered 22 kills and 14 digs on the day. Gash now leads the Zips with four double-doubles and has recorded the feat in back-to-back games. Gabby Brissett also added 13 kills to help the offense. On the defensive end, Vanessa Del Real chipped in for with 17 digs while recording her 1,00th dig as a Zip. Chidera Ozoh provided a career-high 11 blocks. Martina Villani recorded 49 assists in the loss and has recorded at least 48-assists in three of the previous four games.
Game Notes
» Akron had three players in double figures in digs.
» Villani, Del Real, and Jaryn Morgan had a team-high one ace in the loss.
» Ozoh had a match-high 11 blocks.
» Gash registered a double-double with 22 kills and 14 digs
» Gash had a match-high 22 kills for Akron.
» Akron got a team-high 17 digs from Del Real.
» Akron attackers were helped by a match-high 49 assists from Villani.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Zips couldn't hang on in a back-and-forth first set, losing 26-24 in a game that featured 10 lead changes and was tied 14 times. Neither team led by more than three points in the match.
SET 2 | Akron dropped set two 25-17, digging a 2-0 hole in the match. The Zips dropped the first point and never clawed back into the lead before dropping the set.
SET 3 | Akron fought back to pull within two sets to one, winning their first set of the match in the third stanza. The Zips endured a ferocious Ball State rally in the set, holding on to win 25-23 after leading by seven points at 8-1 earlier in the stanza. Akron's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four Ball State attacks in the stanza.
SET 4 | Akron couldn't keep the rally going and lost in set four 25-20 to drop the match. The Zips lost the set despite a solid showing on the attacking side. Akron registered a .314 attack percentage with 16 kills in the set loss.
What's Next?
Akron travels to Ohio (Oct. 3) and Kent State (Oct. 4) for its next pair of games.
