Sports Recap

By Terry Rabbitts, Sports Editor

Women’s Soccer

The University of Akron women’s soccer team prepares to kick off their Mid-American Conference play this weekend. Friday evening at 7 p.m., the Zips look to break their four game skid by playing host to rival Kent State at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field. The first 100 students that attend the match will receive a “Beat Kent” T-shirt. Then on Sunday afternoon, the ladies return to FirstEnergy Stadium to take on the Ohio Bobcats with the match starting at 12 noon. On Sunday, there will be a “Beat Ohio” rally towel giveaway. As always, students are admitted free with their Zip Card.

Women’s Volleyball

The women’s volleyball team opens Mid-American Conference play by traveling to Buffalo to take on the Bulls tonight. Coach Tom Hanna’s squad is looking to break a four match losing streak and get conference play started on the right foot for the 2015 season. Amanda Bedell and Julia Smagacz lead the Zips (6-7) with 117 and 101 kills, respectively. While defensively, Brenna Mack (138) and Dragana Micic (104) lead the team in digs. There is no rest for the ladies as on Saturday they return home to play host to Ball State in another MAC match-up.

Women’s Tennis

After a strong showing this past weekend in Akron Shootout, the University of Akron’s tennis team heads to West Point, N.Y. this weekend to take part in the West Point Invitational. Akron players with great performances this past weekend and players that coach Brandon Padgett will be counting on are Ariadna Blinova, Luisa Echeverry, Shannon Newnes, Waverly Wituski, and Martina Zerbola. The team will also host the Akron Invitational on October 2-4.

Men’s Golf

The golf team finished up the Inverness Intercollegiate on Tuesday with a strong showing on the front nine on the Inverness Club tournament course, but had some troubles on the back nine and dropped to 14th overall at the tournaments end. After nine holes in the final round, Akron was 2-under par, recording par 21 times with 13 birdies. Akron finished the final round with a score of 302 (+18), bringing the tournament total to 315, 298, 302 – 915 (+63). The Zips’ George Baylis was the team’s scoring leader with a 1-over par, 72 in the final round. The Zips get to rest for 12 days as they prepare to play host to the Firestone Invitational, on Monday and Tuesday Oct. 5-6 at the world-famous Firestone Country Club.

Rifle

The Akron rifle team is set to open its 2015-16 campaign this Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Tiger Open in Memphis, Tennessee. Competing in the opening-weekend match along with the Zips is UAB, Ole Miss, Texas Christian, Jacksonville State, Memphis, and UT-Martin.