The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
6-7,1-0MAC
Kent State
6-6,0-1MAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Kent St. | 12 | 13 | 22 | 0 |
Akron Volleyball Sweeps Kent State in MAC Opener
September 23 | Women's Volleyball
KENT, OH --Â The University of Akron volleyball team opened Mid-American Conference play in impressive fashion Wednesday night, earning a 3-0 sweep over Kent State, 25-12, 25-13, 25-22, at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.
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The Zips improved to 6-6 overall and 1-0 in MAC play with the victory, while Kent State fell to 6-7 overall and 0-1 in conference action. Akron hit .302 as a team, finishing the match with 43 kills, 41 assists, 11 service aces and six team blocks.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Akron established control early in the opening set, racing to an early advantage before extending its lead throughout the frame. The Zips finished the opening set with 18 kills on 30 attacks while committing just four errors, hitting .467 on their way to a 25-12 victory.
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The Zips carried that momentum into the second set, again building an early lead before pulling away. Akron recorded 11 kills and hit .391 in the frame, while its defense limited Kent State to 11 kills and a .086 hitting percentage. Akron closed the set, 25-13, to take a 2-0 match lead.
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Kent State came out strong in the third set, building a 20-14 advantage, but Akron answered with a crucial 7-0 run to take a 21-20 lead. The Zips continued to battle through the closing points before completing the sweep with a 25-22 victory.
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GAME NOTES
• Akron sweeps MAC opener: The Zips opened conference play with a 3-0 victory over Kent State, winning 25-12, 25-13 and 25-22.
• Efficient attack: Akron hit .302 for the match, recording 43 kills and 14 attack errors on 96 attempts.
• Aprati leads the attack: Noelle Aprati delivered one of Akron's most efficient performances, recording nine kills without an attack error on 12 attempts for a .750 hitting percentage.
• Gash powers the offense: Delaney Gash led Akron with 11 kills while hitting .391, adding two assists, one service ace and one block assist.
• Wilson adds nine: Lauren Wilson contributed nine kills and hit .238 while adding 11 digs.
• Wolf at the net and service line: Lyndi Wolf recorded six kills, three service aces, one solo block and three block assists.
• Setting the offense: Payton Evans led Akron with 20 assists, while Masa Prascevic added nine assists. The Zips finished with 41 assists as a team.
• Del Real serves up four aces: Vanessa Del Real recorded four service aces and eight digs.
• Strong at the net: Akron finished with six team blocks, led by Wolf's four total blocks and Chidera Ozoh's three.
• Late-set response: After trailing 20-14 in the third set, Akron scored seven consecutive points to move in front 21-20 before closing out the sweep.
• Quick start: Akron hit .467 in the opening set and .391 in the second set before finishing the match with a .140 mark in the third.
• Three-set battle: The match featured three tie scores and one lead change, all coming in the third set.
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BY THE NUMBERS
43 – Akron kills in the match.
.302 – Akron's team hitting percentage.
18 – Akron kills in the opening set.
14 – Akron kills in the third set.
11 – Kills by Delaney Gash, a team high.
9 – Kills by Noelle Aprati and Lauren Wilson.
.750 – Aprati's hitting percentage, with nine kills and no errors on 12 attacks.
20 – Assists by Payton Evans.
11 – Akron service aces in the match.
4 – Service aces by Vanessa Del Real, a match high.
6 – Akron's total team blocks.
577 – Attendance for Wednesday's MAC opener.
3-0 – Akron's final victory margin in its conference opener.
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UP NEXT
The Zips return to James A. Rhodes Arena of the MAC home opener on Friday, Set. 25 at 6 p.m. against the Toledo Rockets.
