Zips Open Final Non-Conference Weekend at Home Against YSU

Thursday, September 17

Akron, Ohio

6:00 pm

University of Akron

Youngstown State

Akron VB Zips Invitational vs Cleveland State 91026

Zips Open Final Non-Conference Weekend at Home Against YSU

September 17 | Women's Volleyball

Akron, Ohio – The Zips final week of non-conference action slated for a trio of matches, starting at James A. Rhodes Arena against Youngstown State (Sept. 17) followed by a pair road contests at Cleveland State (Sept. 18) and Xavier (Sept. 20).

Akron is set to host the YSU Penguins at the JAR on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. and will travel to Cleveland State for a rematch at the Wolstein Center on Friday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. The Zips will wrap-up non-conference action on the road battling Xavier at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Thursday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m.• Akron vs Youngstown State: No Video | Stats
Friday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. • Akron at Cleveland State: ESPN+ | Stats
Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. • Akron at Xavier: Live Video | Stats

ZIPS AT A GLANCE
2026 Record: 3-6 overall, 0-0 MAC

Early-Season Start: Akron is 3-6 through nine matches in the 2026 season, including a 3-2 season-opening victory at ETSU. The Zips have also posted four-set victories over Cleveland State and Valparaiso. Akron has played 36 sets through nine matches and has gone the distance three times, posting a 1-2 record in five-set matches.

Offensive Leaders: Delaney Gash leads the Zips with 110 kills and is averaging 3.33 kills per set while hitting .224. Chidera Ozoh ranks second with 82 kills and leads Akron with a .456 hitting percentage. Lauren Wilson has recorded 82 kills and averages 2.83 kills per set while hitting .180.

Setting: Masa Prascevic has paced Akron's offense with 143 assists and is averaging 6.81 assists per set. Clara Christensen has added 151 assists while averaging 6.29 assists per set, while Payton Evans has recorded 52 assists in 18 sets.

At the Service Line: Akron has recorded 52 service aces through nine matches. Vanessa Del Real and Reilly Chausse share the team lead with 11 aces apiece, while Lyndi Wolf has added seven aces. Gash has contributed five service aces.

Defensive Standouts: Del Real leads Akron with 137 digs and is averaging 3.81 digs per set. Gash ranks second with 85 digs and averages 2.58 digs per set, while Chausse has contributed 60 digs. As a team, Akron is averaging 12.67 digs per set.

At the Net: Ozoh leads Akron with 38 total blocks, including eight solo blocks and 30 block assists, while averaging 1.06 blocks per set. Wolf has added 22 blocks, including three solo blocks and 19 block assists, while Gennari and Gash have recorded 15 blocks apiece. Akron is averaging 1.89 blocks per set.

Team Numbers: Akron is hitting .207 as a team while averaging 12.36 kills, 11.36 assists, 1.44 service aces, 12.67 digs and 1.89 blocks per set. The Zips have totaled 445 kills, 409 assists, 52 aces, 456 digs and 68 total blocks through 36 sets.

Five-Set Battles: Akron has gone the distance three times this season, earning a 3-2 victory at ETSU while suffering five-set losses to IU Indy and Coppin State. The Zips are 1-2 in five-set matches this season.

Against the Opposition: Akron holds advantages over its opponents in digs (456-445) and service errors (59-81). Opponents hold advantages in kills (466-445), hitting percentage (.237-.207), assists (420-409), service aces (54-52) and total blocks (72.5-68).

Preseason Rankings: 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 open Mid-American Conference play at rival Kent State on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. in Kent followed by the MAC home opener at the JAR against Toledo on Friday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.