The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
2-6,0-0MAC
Coppin State
3-5,0-0MEAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coppin St. | 15 | 25 | 13 | 27 | 15 | 3 |
| Akron | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 8 | 2 |
Zips Fall to Coppin State in Five-Set Thriller
September 11 | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, OH --AKRON, Ohio — The University of Akron volleyball team battled back from a pair of set deficits and pushed Coppin State to the limit before falling 3-2 (25-15, 22-25, 25-13, 25-27, 8-15) on Friday at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Akron (2-6) received standout performances from three players who posted double-doubles in the five-set battle. Delaney Gash recorded 16 kills and 17 digs, Lauren Wilson added a match-high 18 kills and 12 digs, while Masa Prascevic finished with 50 assists and 10 digs.
Gash was particularly efficient offensively, converting 16 kills on 43 attacks with just three errors for a .302 hitting percentage. Wilson added 18 kills on 44 attempts and contributed two blocks, while Chidera Ozoh recorded nine kills on 18 attacks for a .444 hitting percentage. Chiara Gennari chipped in 10 kills and two blocks, while Lyndi Wolf finished with 11 kills.
Prascevic directed an Akron attack that finished with 67 kills and a .227 hitting percentage. She also added two kills and one block to go with her 50 assists and 10 digs. Vanessa Del Real paced the Zips defensively with 18 digs and added four assists.
Akron (2-6) came out strong, claiming the opening set 25-15 behind an efficient offensive attack. The Zips carried that momentum into the third set after Coppin State (3-5) evened the match with a 25-22 second-set victory. Akron dominated the third set, hitting .516 with 18 kills and just two errors to cruise to a 25-13 win and take a 2-1 match lead. The Eagles answered with a hard-fought fourth set. Akron battled throughout the frame, but Coppin State eventually secured a 27-25 victory to force a decisive fifth set. The fifth set remained competitive early, but Coppin State ultimately pulled away to earn the 15-8 victory and claim the match.
Despite the setback, Akron finished the night with 67 kills, 61 assists and 83 digs while recording six total team blocks. The Zips' 18 kills in the fourth set and .341 hitting percentage represented their best offensive set of the match.
Game Notes
» Akron had four players in double figures in kills.
» Akron had three players in double figures in digs.
» Masa Prascevic had a team-high two aces in the loss.
» Delaney Gash registered a double-double with 16 kills and 17 digs
» Akron never trailed on the way to winning the first set 25-15.
» Akron never trailed on the way to winning the third set 25-13.
» Lauren Wilson had a match-high 18 kills for Akron.
» Akron got a team-high 18 digs from Vanessa Del Real.
» Akron attackers were helped by a match-high 50 assists from Masa Prascevic.
Zips Double-Doubles
Lauren Wilson: 18 kills, 12 digs
Delaney Gash: 16 kills, 17 digs
Masa Prascevic: 50 assists, 10 digs
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Zips took control on the first point and never trailed to win the first set 25-15. Akron led by as many as 14 points at 22-8 before finishing off the set.
SET 2 | Akron then fell in set two 25-22, tying the match at a set apiece. The Zips battled back from a seven-point 21-14 hole, but Coppin State held on to take the set.
SET 3 | Akron then got back on the winning track, emerging victorious in set three and taking a two sets to one lead in the match. The Zips scored first and never trailed in the set to earn a 25-13 victory. Akron ended on a high note, claiming its biggest lead, 12 points, to finish off the set, totaling 18 kills while only committing two attack errors along the way. The Akron offense also got a boost from three aces in the stanza.
SET 4 | Akron couldn't finish off a four-set win as the Lady Eagles forced a fifth set with a 27-25 victory. The Zips fell in a tight set, losing in a stanza that was tied 10 times and had two lead changes.
SET 5 | Akron and Coppin State went back and forth all game, trading wins in the first three sets until the Lady Eagles took the final two sets, including winning the fifth set 15-8, and the match. The Zips lost the first point and never took the lead.
UP NEXT
Akron is scheduled to close the Zips Invitational against Valparaiso on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 11 a.m. at James A. Rhodes Arena.
