The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Rutgers
Volleyball drops pair of matches to Rutgers and James Madison
September 19 | Women's Volleyball
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Rutgers Invitational Tournament Central Page
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- The University of Akron volleyball dropped its first two matches at the Rutgers Invitational on Friday, falling to tournament host RU in four sets and James Madison in three.
UA's record moves to 6-7 on the season heading into the second day of competition.
In the tournament opener against Rutgers, the Zips stole the first set but lost their momentum in the last three (22-25, 25-13, 25-19, 25-15). Akron struggled to combat James Madison's accurate attack in the evening session, falling 25-16, 25-18, 25-16. The Dukes recorded just eight errors as a team across the three sets.
Karley Kusan picked up her first double-double of the season against the Scarlet Knights (6-4), posting 13 assists and a match-high 14 digs. Callie Mack added 10 digs to help Akron out-dig Rutgers, 55-48.
Kelsey Wilson and Mary Delich registered six kills apiece on the offensive end for Akron. Wilson only tallied one miscue to hit .417 in the opener.
Akron scored on five of six plays early on in the first set against Rutgers to take a 13-7 lead, highlighted by a pair of Wilson service aces and forcing an RU timeout. The Zips continued to charge ahead, building its lead to seven points at 22-15 on a Rutgers error.
The Zips had their first shot at set point after Dragana Micic issued a kill to make it 24-19, but Rutgers fired back with three straight points. Another kill from Micic would seal the set and give Akron a 1-0 advantage.
Unfortunately it was an advantage Akron could not hold onto, falling victim to early runs from Rutgers in the last three sets that created deficits too great to eliminate.
In round two against James Madison (7-5), Anna Wenger led both teams with 10 kills and Julie Shallman added seven, but it was not enough to offset JMU's balanced attack. Six of the seven players that scored for James Madison posted six or more kills, led by Janey Goodman with eight, but as a team the Dukes hit .370 for the match to Akron's .163.
Callie Mack guided UA's defense with 13 digs, followed by Micic with 11.
Trailing two sets to none, the Zips hit for an accurate .290 in the third frame with only two team errors, but James Madison answered with a .424 clip.
Akron will wrap up tournament play on Saturday with a doubleheader against Princeton (10 a.m.) and American (3 p.m.)
