Akron volleyball cleaned out over weekend

By Parker Perry, Sports Editor

The Akron Zips volleyball team (6-11, 0-6 MAC) did not win a set over the weekend and remain winless in Mid-American Conference play.

The Akron Zips battled conference foes Miami (9-9, 1-5)  and Bowling Green (8-9, 5-1). Akron played Miami close in two sets but was decisively beaten by BGSU.

On Friday night, the Zips traveled to Miami and played the first set to overtime. The teams fought hard throughout the set until Akron was able to pull away late. Leading 22-20, the Zips appeared to be in control but were unable to close out the Redhawks. The Zips let their lead slip and found themselves tied 24-24. An attack error by UA and a finishing kill by Jenny Ingle of Miami was enough for MU to capture the first set.

After the disappointing opener, the Zips were handed a beat down in the second set. Akron scored 13 points. They finished with a .120 kill percentage and Miami with a .448 kill percentage, which was not enough to keep them in the match.

Akron loss the last set 25-22. Much like the first set, the Zips and the Redhawks went back and forth, but Akron was edged and swept.

On Saturday, the Zips went north to face the Bowling Green Falcons. The Falcons are currently on top of the Mid-American Conference East standings and performed like one of the best teams in the conference.

In the first set, the Zips got off to a slow start. Akron trailed by as much as seven points (9-16) and did not stand a chance.

The Falcons’ Danielle Tonyan was a big factor in the first set win. She finished the entire match with ten kills and only two errors. She was a constant that the Zips could not figure out how to stop.

Akron’s Kelsey Wilson finished the match with nine kills. It was enough to lead her team.

The next two sets were much like the first for Bowling Green and Akron. The Falcons continually jumped off to an early lead and were able to quickly put the Zips away.

The Zips will now host two home games on Friday and Saturday.

First, they will play Western Michigan (10-9, 3-3 MAC) and then take on Northern Illinois (11-9, 3-3 MAC). The Zips, winless in MAC play, are currently in last place in the overall standings.