Kent State University
Akron
Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge Kicks Off Friday as Volleyball Returns to M.A.C. Center
9/27/2018 7:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
After nearly a month since its last home match, Kent State will return to the M.A.C. Center for a pair of Mid-American Conference contests this weekend. The Golden Flashes will host rival Akron in this year's first Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge matchup on Friday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. and then host Buffalo on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 12 p.m. All three teams seek their first conference win after going 0-2 this past weekend.
Kent State (7-9, 0-2 MAC) has played well in front of the home crowd this season, posting a 3-1 record in matches at the M.A.C. Center. The Flashes have not played at home since Sept. 1, however, and have gone 2-7 during that span.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, September 28
6:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Akron – Live Stats Video
Sunday, September 30
12:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Buffalo – Live Stats Video
Friday's rivalry match against Akron will be broadcast on ESPN+. Live stats will be for both matches.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Akron (8-5, 0-2 MAC)
The Zips have already matched their highest win total since 2012 but suffered a pair of losses to start the conference season last weekend. Akron lost in straight sets to Miami on Friday and then took a 2-1 lead before dropping a five-setter to Bowling Green on Saturday, recording a season-high 12 total blocks in the process. The Zips are just 1-1 in true road matches.
Serving tough has been key to Akron's success this season. The Zips rank 17th nationally with an average of 1.76 aces per set and own a 6-0 record when recording eight or more aces. Emily Weigand (30), Abbey Pawlak (18) and Taylor Sharrits (17) are among all among the MAC leaders.
The Zips feature a balanced attack and post 12.74 kills per set as a team. Kayla Gwozdz (2.92 kills per set), Alexis Adleta (2.55 kills per set) and Shelby Fulmer (2.39 kills per set) are solid options, while Ashley Richardson (2.52 kills per set) is having a career season in the middle. Richardson ranks 27th nationally with a MAC-best .390 hitting percentage. Setter Emily Weigand averages 6.76 assists per set.
Akron is near the bottom of the conference defensively, ranking 11th in both digs per set (13.88) and blocks per set (1.42). Libero Taylor Sharrits boasts a team-best average of 4.40 digs per set, while Richardson is the team's top blocker (0.68 blocks per set).
Buffalo (8-6, 0-2 MAC)
The Bulls did not win a set during the opening weekend of conference play in matches against Bowling Green and Miami.
Traditionally a strong blocking team, Buffalo ranks third in the MAC in blocks per set (2.19). Middle blocker Kristina Nieves leads the way with 1.00 block per set, while right sider hitter Megan Wernette adds 0.88 blocks per set.
Outside hitter Andrea Mitrovic is the Bulls' top offensive weapon, ranking second in the conference in kills per set (4.00) and third in points per set (4.56). The Preseason All-MAC East selection has totaled 20 or more kills four times season and had a match-high 13 kills against No. 5 Penn State on Sept. 15. Outside hitter Polina Prokudina (2.87 kills per set) and Wernette (1.98 kills per set) are other key contributors for Buffalo's attack.
Setter Tia Gleason posts a team-high 10.24 assists per set. Since taking over the starting setting job seven matches ago, Gleason is averaging 10.65 assists per set.
Libero Larra Bickelhaupt is the team leader in digs per set (3.73) and service aces (17).
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State leads the all-time series with both Akron and Buffalo with a combined 75-47 mark.
The Flashes are 43-36 against the Zips, including an 8-2 mark over the past 10 matchups. Kent State has won five straight meetings at the M.A.C. Center, including a 3-0 (25-16, 27-25, 25-22) victory last season. Head coach Don Gromala is 8-4 against the Zips.
Kent State owns a dominant 31-11 all-time mark against the Bulls, but had its six-match win streak snapped with a pair of 3-0 losses in 2017. Head coach Don Gromala is 8-4 vs. the Bulls.
