Zips Earn Split on Final Day of Wake Forest Invitational

Saturday, September 8

Winston-Salem, NC

1:30 PM

University of Akron

6-2

Elon University

7-2

ELON

Akron

Zips Earn Split on Final Day of Wake Forest Invitational

September 08 | Women's Volleyball

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The University of Akron volleyball team earned a split on the final day of play at the Wake Forest Invitational on Saturday in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Zips defeated Elon, 3-1 (25-19, 25-17, 17-25, 25-22) before falling to tournament host, Wake Forest, 3-0 (25-12, 25-23, 25-21).

Akron is now 6-3, while Elon fell to 7-2 and Wake Forest improved to 3-6.

In the win over Elon, Akron was led on offense by senior Kayla Gwozdz (Temperance, Mich.) with 12 kills, followed by right side hitter Shelby Fulmer (Perrysburg, Ohio) and junior Ashley Richardson (Doylestown, Ohio) with 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Sophomore setter Emily Weigand (Burton, Ohio) held a team-best 23 assists while also recording a career-high seven service aces. Defensive specialist Taylor Sharrits (Concord, Ohio) led with 15 digs, while senior Abbey Pawlak (Sylvania, Ohio) added 11.

Elon set off on an early 7-4 lead, but a five-point run by the Zips tied the set at 14-all. Trailing 19-17, the Zips scored eight unanswered points to steal the first set, 25-19. The run was highlighted by three consecutive kills from Alexis Adleta (West Chester, Ohio) and a pair of service aces from sophomore Taylor Kuruzovich (Port Matilda, Pa.).

The Phoenix held a 9-8 lead into the second set. A 6-0 run highlighted by an impressive five-straight service aces by Weigand set the Zips ahead, 14-10. Akron led for the remainder of the set, topping Elon 25-17 to take a 2-0 lead.

Akron faced an 11-3 deficit early in the third that proved to be too much to come back from.
A 4-1 run set Akron within five points of the Phoenix, but ultimately Elon took set three, 25-17.

An early 6-0 run gave Elon a 6-2 advantage. The Phoenix carried their lead to 20-15 when a 6-0 run from the Zips tied the set at 20. Akron would score five of the final seven points of the set, winning the match, 3-1. Back-to-back kills from Gwozdz gave the Zips a 25-22 final set victory.

As a team, Akron hit .250 compared to Elon at .262.

"This match is another example of this team putting out a great effort and once again showcasing our resiliency and perseverance," said head coach Tom Hanna. "Our ability to take control of matches along with our ability to battle back from any deficit make us a constant threat."

Against Wake Forest, Gwozdz led for the second straight game, recording 10 kills. Richardson and Fulmer added seven kills, each, on the night. Defensively, Richardson posted three blocks, while Sharits and Adleta had seven and six kills, respectively. Kuruzovich held a team best 16 assists for the Zips.

Akron was only trailing 7-5 when Wake Forest scored six unanswered points to take a significant eight-point lead. The Demon Deacons would only continue to build on their lead from there, defeating Akron, 25-12, in the first set.

Wake Forest carried its momentum into its second set taking an early 7-2 lead. A 5-1 run set the Zips within one of the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest increased its advantage at 20-16, but kills from freshman Teagan Ochaya (Mentor, Ohio) and Fulmer in addition to a WF attacking error had Akron trailing just 20-19. Wake Forest outscored the Zips just 5-4 for the remainder of the set but ultimately took set two, 35-23.

The Zips gained momentum headed into the third on a 7-2 run thanks to kills for Fulmer and Ochaya as well as a Weigand service ace. Wake Forest would go on to score 9 of the next 11 points to gain a 11-9 edge. The Demon Deacons would only continue to build on its lead, taking the final set, 25-21.

"We faced a physical team (Wake Forest) tonight that was able to do a solid job defensively at the net despite some really solid passing from us tonight," said Hanna. "They certainly were solid offensively as well. We were able to make enough runs to stay in the match but couldn't find that final push in the last two sets the way we have been doing so far this season."

Richardson and Fulmer earned Wake Forest Invitational All-Tournament team honors after their performances over the course of the weekend.

Up next, the Zips return home to host the Zips Invitational, Sept. 14-15. Akron will take on Bucknell on Friday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m in its first match of the tournament.