The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Maryland
Akron Volleyball Kicks Off Home Slate with Akron Invitational
August 30 | Women's Volleyball
MATCH NOTES (PDF)
THIS WEEKÂ
The Zips kick off their home slate this weekend as they host the 24th annual Akron Invitational, Aug. 31-Sept. 2. All matches will be played at the James A. Rhodes Arena.
On Friday, the tournament opens up with a match between Akron and Maryland at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, the action continues when Maryland and Stony Brook face off at 10 a.m. Akron will take on Canisius at 12:30 p.m., followed by Canisius vs. Maryland at 4:30 p.m. The Zips close out day two of the Akron Invite against Stony Brook at 7 p.m.
A match between Stony Brook and Canisius will conclude the tournament on Sunday starting at noon.
FULLÂ TOURNAMENTÂ SCHEDULE
Friday, Aug. 31
7:00 PM – Akron vs. Maryland (Live Stats)
Saturday, Sept. 1
10:00 AM – Maryland vs. Stony Brook (Live Stats)
12:30 PM – Akron vs. Canisius (Live Stats)
4:30 PM – Canisius vs. Maryland (Live Stats)
7:00 PM – Akron vs. Stony Brook (Live Stats)
Sunday, Sept. 2Â
Noon – Stony Brook vs. Canisius (Live Stats)
-home teams for each match are in bold
SOPHOMORE STANDOUT
Defensive specialist Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) led the Zips last weekend and averaged 6.07 digs per set. Sharrits was named MAC East Defensive Player of the Week. Highlighting the sophomore's successful week was a career-high 32 digs in the Zips' win over Cal State Fullerton.
MEET THE ZIPS
Akron is under the direction of fourth-year head coach Tom Hanna.
After the first weekend of play, senior Kayla Gwozdz (Temperance, Mich.) leads the way for the Zips with 46 kills, while Alexis Adleta (West Chester, Ohio) isn't far behind with 44. Sophomore setter Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) is averaging 7.64 assists per set. Defensively, Sharrits totaled 85 digs, while junior Ashley Richardson (Doylestown, Ohio) has made eight blocks.Â
SCOUTING MARYLAND
The Terrapins, under the direction of first-year head coach Adam Hughes, stand 2-1 early this season. Maryland swept both Wake Forest and North Carolina-Greensboro, before falling to Air Force, 3-2, at the Wake Forest/UNCG Tournament. Sophomore outside hitter Erica Pritchard is leading the offense with a total of 44 kills. Setter Nicole Alford is averaging 10.36 assists per set, while Allegra Rivas leads the defense for the Terps with 4.36 digs per set.Â
SERIES VS. MARYLAND
The Zips are 1-4 all-time versus the Terps dating back to 1985. On the most recent occasion, Akron fell to Maryland 3-0 (20-25, 20-25-21-25) on Sept. 16, 2011. This weekend marks the sixth meeting between the teams.
SCOUTING CANISIUS
The Golden Griffins are 1-2 after competing at the Cleveland State Invitational last weekend. Canisius defeated Binghamton, 3-1, and fell to Montana State and Cleveland State. The Griffins' offense is led by freshman right side hitter Melina Woods who has 29 kills on the season. On the defensive side, senior libero Sofia Lopez Acosta leads with 52 digs. Lenika Vazquez is in her third season as head coach at Canisius.
SERIES VS. CANISIUS
The Zips lead the all-time series over Canisius, 6-0. Most recently, Akron defeated the Griffins, 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-20) Sept. 9, 2016. The Zips look to pickup its seventh straight win over Canisius this weekend.Â
SCOUTING STONY BROOK
After the first weekend of action and a midweek match, the Seawolves stand 2-2 overall. Stony Brook went 2-1 at the South Florida Tournament and most recently fell to Hofstra, 3-0. Outside hitter Emily Costello leads the way for the Seawolves with 54 kills, while junior defensive specialist Kardasia Hitchcock has a total of 62 digs. Junior setter Leanne Sakowicz is averaging 11.13 assists per set. Kristin Belzung is in her second season as head coach at Stony Brook.Â
SERIES VS. STONY BROOK
This weekend will be the first meeting between the Zips and Seawolves.Â
LAST WEEK
Last week the Zips went 2-1 at the Fullerton/Riverside Classic. Akron opened its season defeating Cal State Fullerton, 3-2 (25-15, 25-17, 17-25, 16-25, 15-13). On Aug. 25, the Zips fell to Eastern Washington, 3-1 (20-25, 25-14, 20-15, 15-25) before taking down Montana, 3-2 (20-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-21, 15-10) to wrap up its opening weekend of play.
UP NEXT FOR AKRON
The Zips will travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., to compete in the Wake Forest Invitational, Sept. 7-8. UA battles Georgia Southern on Friday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. to open up the tournament. The Zips will take on Elon and Wake Forest on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively.
