The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
4-6,0-0MAC
Youngstown State
3-7,0-0Horizon
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown St. | 25 | 15 | 13 | 21 | 1 |
| Akron | 20 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Akron Volleyball Rolls Past Youngstown State, 3-1
September 17 | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron volleyball team bounced back in a big way Thursday night, overcoming an opening-set setback to post a convincing 3-1 victory over Youngstown State at James A. Rhodes Arena. After dropping the first set, 25-20, the Zips dominated the final three frames, winning 25-21, 25-13 and 25-15, to improve to 4-6 on the season.
Akron found its rhythm offensively after the opening set, hitting .600 in the second frame, .619 in the third and .484 in the fourth to finish the night with a .432 team hitting percentage. The Zips also registered 59 kills, 56 assists, 62 digs and six total team blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Youngstown State controlled the opening set, building an early advantage before claiming a 25-20 victory. Akron responded immediately in the second set, racing out to a 4-0 lead behind kills from Delaney Gash, Lyndi Wolf and Noelle Aprati. The Zips continued to build their advantage and closed the frame on a kill from Chidera Ozoh to even the match at one set apiece.
Akron carried the momentum into the third set, overcoming an early 3-0 deficit. The Zips answered with a 5-0 run to take an 8-4 lead and continued to pull away. Akron led 18-10 before Youngstown State attempted to rally, but the Zips closed the set with a 7-3 run to secure a 25-13 victory.
The Penguins again grabbed an early lead in the fourth set, but Akron steadily chipped away at the deficit. The Zips tied the set at 16-16 before taking control with a decisive 7-0 run. Akron eventually closed out the 25-15 victory on an attack error by Youngstown State to secure the match.
DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Delaney Gash recorded her third double-double of the season, finishing with 13 kills and 19 digs. Gash also added four service aces and four assists in the victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
.432 – Akron's team hitting percentage for the match.
.600 – Akron's hitting percentage in the second set.
.619 – Akron's hitting percentage in the third set.
59 – Akron kills in the four-set victory.
56 – Akron assists on the night.
62 – Akron digs against Youngstown State.
6 – Akron's total team blocks.
10 – Akron service aces in the match.
19 – Digs recorded by Delaney Gash, who added 13 kills for a double-double.
9 – Kills for both Lyndi Wolf and Chidera Ozoh. Wolf hit .615, while Ozoh finished at .562.
24 – Assists by Masa Prascevic, who helped guide Akron to its .432 team hitting percentage.
18 – Digs by Vanessa Del Real.
GAME NOTES
• Akron improved to 4-6 overall with Thursday's victory, while Youngstown State fell to 3-7.
• Akron's .432 hitting percentage marked a strong offensive turnaround after hitting .147 in the opening set. The Zips followed with three consecutive sets hitting .600, .619 and .484.
• Gash led Akron with 13 kills and 19 digs, while Wolf and Ozoh each added nine kills. Lauren Wilson contributed eight kills and hit .312.
• Wolf was particularly efficient offensively, recording nine kills on 13 attempts with just one error for a .615 hitting percentage.
• Ozoh finished with nine kills on 16 attempts without an attack error, producing a .562 hitting percentage.
• Prascevic paced the Akron offense with 24 assists, while Payton Evans also contributed to the Zips' balanced setting attack.
• Del Real led Akron's defensive effort with 18 digs, while Gash added 19 and Reilly Chausse recorded 14.
• Akron recorded 10 service aces, with Gash leading the way with four.
• Thursday's match was played before 679 fans at James A. Rhodes Arena and lasted one hour, 56 minutes.
UP NEXT
The Zips continues the final weekend of non-conference action, traveling to Cleveland State for a rematch at the Wolstein Center on Friday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. and battling on the road Xavier at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.
