The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Central Michigan
Volleyball drops 3-0 setback to Central Michigan
October 24 | Women's Volleyball
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AKRON, Ohio -- Despite a strong third set performance, Akron dropped a 3-0 decision to visiting Central Michigan Friday night at James A. Rhodes Arena (25-16, 25-19, 26-24).
The Zips broke a 20-all tie in the third set to score four straight and capture a set-point scenario, but were unable to hold on for the victory.
The result moves Akron to 8-16 overall and 2-7 in the Mid-American Conference, while Central Michigan improves to 9-12 and 4-5 in league play.
Senior Mary Delich led the UA attack with eight kills and only two errors to hit .353 for the match. Jessica Kloehn posted six kills and Julia Smagacz added five. Karley Kusan put up 24 assists to guide the offense.
Defensively, Brenna Mack and Ashley Holder had seven digs apiece, but Akron ultimately had no remedy for Central's Kaitlyn McIntyre who finished the night with 13 kills and a .619 clip.
After dropping the first set, the Zips started the second frame on a high note with a service ace from Dragana Micic right off the bat. Akron took an early 5-4 lead on back-to-back Central Michigan errors, but that would be the last advantage it held in the second set as the Chippewas forged ahead just out of reach.
The Zips came out strong after the break, snapping a 3-3 tie with a 7-1 run. A pair of Chippewa miscues and a kill from Delich put the score at 10-4 in Akron's favor, and it continued to maintain a five-point lead after a Kloehn kill made it 15-10.
Central retaliated to tie the set at 19 and 20 before Akron rattled off four consecutive scores, highlighted by kills from Amanda Bedell and Anna Wenger, to bring up its first set point. But a final 6-0 run by Central Michigan ended the Zips' rally and sealed the match.
Akron continues its homestand on Saturday when it hosts Eastern Michigan. First serve is set for 5 p.m. at the JAR. EMU defeated Buffalo in five sets on Friday night.
