The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
12-16,7-9MAC
Kent State
11-16,5-11MAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent St. | 22 | 25 | 25 | 31 | 13 | 2 |
| Akron | 25 | 18 | 19 | 33 | 15 | 3 |
November 14 | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron volleyball team closed its 2026 season in thrilling fashion, earning a 3-2 victory over rival Kent State on Saturday night at James A. Rhodes Arena. The Zips rallied to win a marathon fourth set before securing a 15-13 decision in the fifth to finish the season with a victory in front of 905 fans on Senior Night.
Akron (12-16, 7-9 MAC) claimed the opening set, 25-22, before Kent State (11-16, 5-11 MAC) answered with wins in the second and third sets. The Zips responded with a hard-fought 33-31 fourth-set victory and carried the momentum into the deciding set, completing the season sweep of the Golden Flashes.
Following the match, Akron honored four members of its senior class: Vanessa Del Real, Sarah Bettis, Chiara Gennari and Chidera Ozoh.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Akron opened the match with a 25-22 victory in the first set. The Zips used a balanced offensive effort to record 17 kills and hit .275. Chiara Gennari and Chidera Ozoh provided key contributions at the net, while Vanessa Del Real added two service aces as Akron established the early advantage.
Kent State responded by taking the second set, 25-18, and the third, 25-19, to move within a set of the match. The Golden Flashes found their rhythm offensively, but Akron continued to battle and put together its strongest offensive set of the night in the fourth.
The fourth set featured a back-and-forth battle, with Akron recording 24 kills and hitting .267. Neither team was able to create separation late as the score continued beyond the 25-point mark. The Zips eventually prevailed, 33-31, forcing a decisive fifth set and keeping their season alive.
In the fifth, Akron found the points it needed to finish the comeback. The Zips collected eight kills and limited Kent State to six while holding the Golden Flashes to a .053 hitting percentage. Akron closed out the 15-13 victory to secure the five-set rivalry win and end the season on a high note.
SENIOR NIGHT
Following the match, Akron recognized four seniors for their contributions to the program.
Vanessa Del Real closed her four-year career with a team-high 27 digs, eight assists and two service aces against Kent State. Entering the match, Del Real had appeared in 114 matches and recorded 1,684 career digs, averaging 3.70 per set, along with 498 assists and 167 service aces. A speech-language pathology and audiology major, she is also earning a certificate in American Sign Language.
Sarah Bettis contributed nine kills and three block assists in the season finale. A four-year member of the Zips, Bettis appeared in 19 matches during her Akron career. Her pre-match career totals included 44 kills, 45 digs, six service aces and three assists. She is a biology major with a minor in chemistry.
Chiara Gennari delivered a standout performance in her final match as a Zip, leading Akron with 18 kills while hitting .424 and adding three block assists. A graduate student who joined Akron after three seasons at Idaho, Gennari entered the match with 64 kills and 23 blocks during her Akron career. Across her collegiate career, she appeared in 96 matches with 373 kills, 167 digs, 96 blocks and 13 service aces. She is earning her Master of Business Administration.
Chidera Ozoh finished with 13 kills while hitting .357, adding one solo block and two block assists. A four-year member of the Zips, Ozoh entered the match with 401 career kills and 237 total blocks in 58 matches. She owns a career .351 hitting percentage and averaged 1.03 blocks per set entering the finale. A biology major, Ozoh made a significant impact on the Akron program at the net throughout her career.
Senior career statistics listed above reflect totals entering the Kent State match and do not include Saturday night's performances.
GAME NOTES
• Akron completed the season sweep of Kent State after opening MAC play with a 3-0 victory over the Golden Flashes on Sept. 23.
• Gennari Vila led all Zips with 18 kills and a .424 hitting percentage.
• Ozoh added 13 kills and hit .357, while Lauren Wilson recorded 11 kills.
• Lyndi Wolf led Akron with seven total blocks, including one solo block and six block assists.
• Jessie Musselman contributed 10 kills and 11 points.
• Del Real paced the defensive effort with 27 digs.
• Clara Christensen directed the offense with 41 assists, while Payton Evans added 11.
• Akron recorded 73 kills, 69 assists and 84 digs as a team.
BY THE NUMBERS
• Akron finished the season 12-16 overall and 7-9 in Mid-American Conference play.
• The Zips won the match despite trailing 2-1 in sets.
• Akron out-hit Kent State .223 to .246, but held the Golden Flashes to a .053 hitting percentage in the fifth set.
• The Zips finished with 73 kills compared to Kent State's 69.
• Akron recorded 84 digs and 10 total blocks.
• The fourth set was the longest of the match, with Akron earning a 33-31 victory.
The victory provided a fitting finish to the season and an opportunity to celebrate Del Real, Bettis, Gennari and Ozoh for their dedication and contributions to Akron volleyball.
