The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Cal State Fullerton
Akron Volleyball Opens 2018 Season at Fullerton/Riverside Classic
August 23 | Women's Volleyball
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Match Notes (PDF)
THIS WEEKÂ
The Zips kick off their 2018 campaign this weekend at the Fullerton/Riverside Classic, Aug. 24-25. The matches will be split up between Titan Gym (Fullerton, Calif) and SRC Arena (Riverside, Calif.).
On Friday, Akron will open its season and the tournament, facing Cal State Fullerton at 5 p.m. (ET).
On Saturday, the Zips will take on Eastern Washington at 2 p.m. (ET) in Riverside before traveling back to Fullerton to take on Montana at 8 p.m. (ET) to conclude their opening weekend of the season.Â
GAMEDAYÂ COVERAGE
Akron vs. Cal State Fullerton
Live Stats
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Akron vs. Eastern Washington
Live Stats
Akron vs. Montana
Live Stats
MEET THE ZIPS
The Akron roster consists of 10 returners, led by seniors Abbey Pawlak (Sylvania, Ohio) and Kayla Gwozdz (Temperance, Mich.). Last season, Pawlak posted 187 digs and 29 service aces, while Gwozdz held team-bests of 290 kills and 317.5 points.
Also highlighting the returners is sophomore Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio), who led the Zips defensively with 419 digs. Sophomore setter Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) returns after a freshman season where she led Akron with 992 assists and 36 service aces.
Additionally, the Zips welcome newcomers Jen Durra (Painesville, Ohio), Megan Kelly (Lakewood, Ill.), Teagan Ochaya (Mentor, Ohio), Mahogany Vinson (Richton Park, Ill.) and Hannah Yaconis (Batavia, Ill.) to the team.
SCOUTING CAL STATE FULLERTON
The Titans, under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Ashley Preston, open the season against Akron. CSFU finished the 2017 season with a 5-24 overall record. Cal State Fullerton returns nine letterwinners, including seven starters, while adding 13 newcomers.Â
SERIES VS. CAL STATE FULLERTON
This weekend marks the first meeting between the Titans and Zips.
SCOUTING EASTERN WASHINGTON
The Eagles are under the direction of first-year head coach Leslie Flores-Cloud. EWU returns three starters from its 2017 roster, while adding 11 newcomers to the squad. Last season, the Eagles finished 7-18 overall.
SERIES VS. EASTERN WASHINGTON
This weekend marks the first meeting between the Eagles and Zips.
SCOUTING MONTANA
Under the direction of second-year head coach, Allison Lawrence, Montana returns 11 letterwinners from a year ago and added five newcomers to complete its 2018 roster. Out of its returners, Montana returns all six of its starters, plus the libero. The Grizzlies finished last season with an 8-21 mark overall.Â
SERIES VS. MONTANA
Montana and Akron have met just once before, in 1995 in Missoula, Mont. The Zips fell to the Grizzlies, 3-1.Â
PRESEASON RECAP
Last Friday, the Zips hosted Cleveland State in a preseason exhibition match at James A. Rhodes Arena. The Vikings came out on top in a close five-set match (27-25, 26-28, 20-25, 25-19, 10-15).Â
The Zips were led by a pair of double-doubles from sophomores Emily Weigand with 21 assists and 15 digs, and Taylor Sharrits with 12 assists and a team-best of 23 digs. Senior Kayla Gwozdz and sophomore Alexis Adleta led the offensive efforts on the evening with 12 kills each. Senior Abbey Pawlak added 10 digs for the Zips.
As a team, Akron played well defensively with a total of 87 digs on the night. Offensively, the Zips completed the match with a .193 hitting percentage, compared to Vikings with .200.
UP NEXT FOR AKRON
The Zips will open its home slate as they host the 24th annual Akron Invitational, Aug. 31-Sept. 2. UA battles Maryland Friday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. to open up the tournament. The Zips will take on Canisius and Stony Brook on Saturday, Sept. 1 at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.Â
