The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Buffalo
Volleyball Falls to Buffalo, 3-2
October 03 | Women's Volleyball
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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Akron built up an early two-set lead over Buffalo but was ultimately unable to close the book on the Bulls as the Zips dropped a five-set contest on the road Thursday night, 25-27, 18-25, 25-22, 25-18, 15-10.
UA fell to 6-8 overall and 0-3 in the Mid-American Conference, while Buffalo improved to 14-2 and 2-1.
The Zips recorded their best combined hitting percentage in the last five matches (.202), led by 13-kill efforts from freshmen Amanda Bedell and Julia Smagacz, both career-high performances. Karley Kusan kept the offense running with a personal best 46 assists and added 10 digs for her first collegiate double-double.
Jill Paluch had a career night as well, leading four Zips with double-digit digs with 27. Bedell came up big defensively as well, posting four solo blocks and a pair of block-assists to fuel Akron's 10 total blocks.
The Zips started the night off strong, taking a 12-8 lead early in the first set courtesy of a 9-3 run. Akron managed to stay on top and had its first look at set point with the score at 24-21 in its favor after a UB service error. Four straight Buffalo points quickly turned the tables until a Bedell kill and two attack errors from the Bulls' wrapped up the set for Akron.
UA quickly saw its 9-6 lead in the second set turn around when Buffalo rattled off five unanswered points to make it 11-9 the other way. The Zips finally found a lead they could hold onto, breaking a 14-all tie with three-straight Smagacz kills that sparked a 6-0 run.
Akron did not have much trouble handling the rest of the frame after that, faltering with just one set point and using two of Alex Cocklin's 10 kills to take an overall 2-0 advantage into the break. The Zips had only one error and out-hit Buffalo .448 to .176 in that second set.
The momentum began to shift away from Akron late in the third set when UB broke a 22-all tie with three points in three plays to stay alive in the match. The Bulls rode the scoring wave right into the fourth set as the Zips fell behind 7-1 out of the gate. UA came back to knot the score at 10 on a Kelsey Wilson service ace – one of four on the night – but Buffalo rallied again for six straight points. The Zips were unable to bridge the gap down the stretch and Buffalo forced a fifth set.
Buffalo's 8-1 run would prove to be the story of the final set as the Zips' called two timeouts in attempt to ice their hosts but to no avail. UA scored three points on a pair of Bedell kills and an ace at the hands of Callie Mack, making the score 13-10 Buffalo, but that is as close as the Zips would come to victory.
Sophomore outside hitter Tahleia Bishop had a career night of her own leading Buffalo with a match-high 21 kills and 20 digs.
UA will have one day off before traveling to Toledo on Saturday to face its first MAC West Division opponent. First serve between the Zips and the Rockets is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Savage Arena. Toledo downed West leader Ball State in four sets on Thursday night.
