Akron Volleyball Opens 2026 Campaign at the Buccaneer Classic

Friday, August 28

Johnson City, Tenn.

1:00 pm

University of Akron

East Tennessee

Akron Volleyball Opens 2026 Campaign at the Buccaneer Classic

August 27 | Women's Volleyball

AKRON, Ohio - The Zips begin the 2026 season in Johnson City, Tenn. with the Buccaneer Classic, hosted by East Tennessee (ETSU). Akron will battle ETSU, Liberty and Auburn from August 28-29 for the first three matches of the season.

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Friday, Aug. 28 at 1 p.m. vs ETSU: Video | Stats
Saturday, Aug. 29 at 10 a.m. vs Liberty: No Video | Stats
Saturday, Aug. 29 at 1 p.m. vs Auburn: No Video | Stats

ZIPS AT A GLANCE
The Zips return 12 players from the 2025 squad that finished with a 16-13 overall record and 9-9 in Mid-American Conference play, falling one game shy of making the MAC Tournament.

The returning cast is highlighted by two All-MAC performers in Delany Gash (OH) and Lyndi Wolf (MB) followed by Vanessa Del Real (L), Sarah Bettis (OH/RS), Payton Evans (S), Jordyn Aeschliman (OH), Reilly Chausse (L), Jessie Musselman (OH), Lauren Wilson (OH/MB), Masa Prascevic (S) and Chidera Ozoh (MB).

The Zips added five newcomers in Clara Christensen (S), Noelle Aprati (OH), Clara Gennari (OH), Taylor Donovan (L) and Vanessa Washington (MB).

Gash was the first All-MAC First Team selection for Akron since 2019, leading the Zips with 452 kills, 4.00 kills per set, 495 points, while ranking third in digs with 239. Gash added 36 blocks, 23 assists and 20 kills. She finished the regular season ranked 2nd in the MAC in total kills (452), kills per set (4.00), total points (495) and points per set (4.38). She ranked 62nd in the NCAA in kills per set (4.00), 22nd in total points (495) and 16th in total kills (452).

Wolf was the second Zip to be named to the All-MAC Freshman team in the last three seasons. She finished the season third on the team in kills (225) while leading Akron in hitting percentage (.308) and ranking 7th in the MAC.

Del Real anchored the Zips defense, collecting 458 digs and 4.09 digs per set while ranking second in assists with 122 or 1.09 per set. Del Real also led the squad in service aces with 44 o4 0,39 per set.

Chausse was second in digs with 275 and delivered 22 aces, while Ozoh led the team in blocks with 128 and was fifth in kills with 160 .

The Zips were picked to finish 7th in the MAC Preseason Poll while Toledo was tabbed to finish first after picking up seven first-place votes. The Rockets had six votes to win the MAC Tournament and Ball State finished with five votes.

Gash and Wolf were selected to the Preseason All-MAC Team.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips are on the road for the Hampton Inn/ Indy Invitational hosted by IU Indy in Indianapolis, Ind. on Sept. 3-5. Akron opens the tournament on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. against MAC foe Ohio Bobcats. Akron followed by Marshall on Friday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. and IU Indy on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 3 p.m.