Zips Volleyball Falls to Maryland in Home Opener, 3-0

Friday, August 31

Akron, OH

7 PM

University of Akron

2-2

Maryland

3-1

Maryland

Akron

Photo by: Ernie Aranyosi

Zips Volleyball Falls to Maryland in Home Opener, 3-0

August 31 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

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BOX SCORE (PDF)

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron volleyball team fell in its home opener at the Akron Invitational to Maryland, 3-0 (22-25, 22-25, 22-25) on Friday night at the James A. Rhodes Arena.

Akron fell to 2-2, while Maryland improved to 3-1 early this season.

Sophomore left side hitter Alexis Adleta (West Chester, Ohio) led the Zips with 12 kills, while senior Kayla Gwozdz (Temperance, Mich.) tallied 11 kills on the night. Sophomore Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) led the back row defense with 12 digs. Sophomore setters Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) and Taylor Kuruzovich (Port Matilda, Pa.) dished out 17 and 14 set assists, respectively.

The opening set sat tied at six when a 5-2 run gave the Zips an 11-8 edge. Three consecutive points by Maryland would tie the set once again, 11-11. The Terps would score six of the next eight points to regain the lead and what would prove to be a run that would help to solidify a 25-22 first set win.

The Zips held an early 3-1 lead in the second after a kill by Adleta, an ace from Sharrits and a Terps error. Maryland would come back to lead 12-8, but a 10-6 run by Akron would tie the score at 18. The Terps would score five of the next six points to regain a four-point lead. Kills from freshman Megan Kelly (Lakewood, Ill.), sophomore Shelby Fulmer (Perrysberg, Ohio) and Gwozdz would put the Zips within two of Maryland. However, a kill from the Terps' Erika Pritchard sealed a 25-22 victory in the second set for Maryland.

After falling behind early in the third, Akron pushed to tie the set at 13. Maryland regained a 20-17 lead, when a 4-1 run, highlighted by kills from Adleta and Gwozdz, would keep the Zips alive. The Terps would score four of the last five points to seal the final set, 25-22.

As a team, Akron hit .193 on the night, compared to Maryland at .282.

The Zips continue action on Saturday as they wrap up the Akron Invitational with a doubleheader. Akron takes on Canisius at 12:30 p.m., and will close out with Stony Brook at 7 p.m.