The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Princeton
Volleyball edged by Princeton and American on Saturday
September 20 | Women's Volleyball
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Final Stats vs. Princeton | Final Stats vs. American | Season Stats
PDF Stats vs. Princeton | PDF Stats vs. American
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- Akron started the day off strong but was unable to carry its momentum through to the end of the final day of competition at the Rutgers Invitational, falling to Princeton, 3-2, and American, 3-0.
Despite jumping out to a 2-0 lead against Princeton, the Zips came out on the short end of their first five-set match of the season (20-25, 17-25, 25-20, 25-21, 15-9). In the afternoon match, UA played American close for all three sets but could not ultimately close the gap in the loss (25-20, 25-19, 25-18).
Akron finishes the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 6-9 overall record as it looks to begin Mid-American Conference action next weekend.
Julia Smagacz racked up a personal-best 15 kills against Princeton, supplemented by 12 kills from Anna Wenger. Both teams hit .194 for the match.
Karley Kusan notched her second double-double of the tournament with 41 assists and a career-high 20 digs versus the Tigers. Kusan was named to the All-Tournament team for her performance over the course of the tournament. Aubrey Kozer also came through defensively with 19 digs, and Callie Mack added 17.
The Tigers used three offensive weapons to complete their comeback over the Zips, including 19 kills from Ivy League Player of the Week, Kendall Peterkin, and 12 kills each from Nicole Kincade and Cara Mattaliano.
After falling into a 5-1 hole to start the match, the Zips rallied to score 13 points on 15 plays midway through the first set to capture an 18-12 advantage. The offensive surge was highlighted by a 6-0 run that featured three blocks involving Wilson.
It didn't take long for Akron to find its first chance at set point after a Princeton error, when Kusan and Kelsey Wilson came together for another block to grab a 1-0 lead for the Zips.
Akron fell behind again in the second set, trailing 7-2, before going on another 6-0 run, forcing a Princeton timeout and eventually coming around to tie the score at 9-all. Yet another 6-0 run for Akron made it 18-10 in its favor on a Wilson service ace. The Zips won the second set in the same fashion as the first, when Wilson and Kusan came together for a big block.
The Zips could not carry their rhythm through the intermission however, as the Tigers came back to take each of the last three sets to steal the match.
Mary Delich put together a strong performance at the net for the second match, posting eight kills without an error in 16 swings to hit .500 against American. Smagacz picked up seven kills, while Wenger and Wilson chipped in six.
AU used a .250 team attack percentage and nine service aces to maintain control of the match, building early leads to start each set that the Zips struggled to erase.
Akron will return home to begin MAC play next weekend, hosting Miami (Ohio) and Bowling Green. The Zips will take on the RedHawks on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. at James A. Rhodes Arena, followed by a 5 p.m. clash with the Falcons on Saturday, Sept. 27.
