The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Buffalo
Volleyball drops three set decision to Buffalo
October 09 | Women's Volleyball
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AKRON, Ohio -- Akron racked up 10 team blocks in three sets, but its prowess at the net was not enough to shake off Buffalo in a three-set loss on Thursday night at James A. Rhodes Arena (27-25, 25-19, 25-22).
Mary Delich led the charge with three solo stuffs and a block-assist, while fellow middle Kelsey Wilson put up a pair of solos and three block-assists. Despite Akron's strong effort up front, Buffalo's hitters were able to find a way around the defense to hit .229 as a team.
UA slides to 7-13 overall and 1-4 in the Mid-American Conference with the result.
Julia Smagacz led the Zips with nine kills, hitting .350 for the match. Delich and Jessica Kloehn were close behind with five kills apiece.
Karley Kusan took primary setting duties and tallied 25 assists.
UB (13-6, 3-2 MAC) was guided by a trio of attackers, Megan Lipski (13 kills), Skyler Day (12) and Amber Hatchett (11). Lipski posted one miscue to hit a match-high .480.
The first set featured nine tie scores and six lead changes. Akron claimed two different five-point advantages with the score at 10-5 and 18-13, but the Bulls battled back each time.
Late in the frame, the Zips had a look at set point and were unable to capitalize. They held off Buffalo after an attack error made the score 24-22 in the Bulls' favor. Akron took advantage of the back-to-back UB errors that followed to knot the score at 24-all.
A big block from Delich put the Zips up 25-24, but Buffalo fired back with a service ace sandwiched between two Lipski kills to score three-straight and claim a 1-0 lead.
Akron found itself ahead again late in the second set, capturing an 18-14 lead after a kill from Kloehn. The advantage did not hold however, as Buffalo would string together an 11-1 run through two Akron timeouts to come from behind and steal the set.
The Zips hung with the Bulls in the final set, trailing by only one at 19-18 after a Buffalo setting error. Julie Shallman entered the match, adding spark off the bench for Akron and helping the Zips deny four consecutive match point attempts for Buffalo. The rally fell short for UA when a final kill from UB's Day ended the contest.
Akron returns to the floor on Saturday when it hosts its first MAC West Division opponent of the season in Toledo at 5 p.m. The match has been designated as Alumni Night for Zips Volleyball, and there will be an alumni reception following the game.
