Kent State University
Akron
Rivalry Match, Senior Night Highlight Final Volleyball Home Weekend
11/14/2019 3:09:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Kent State seeks to clinch its spots in next week's Mid-American Conference Volleyball Tournament as it closes the regular this weekend with two home matches at the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (13-15, 6-8 MAC) hosts rival Akron on Friday at 6 p.m. with a half-point in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge standings on the line. Kent State will then face Buffalo for Senior Night at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 15
6:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Akron
Saturday, Nov. 16
7:00 p.m. Kent State vs. Buffalo
RECOGNIZING 2019 SENIOR CLASS
Following Saturday's match, Kent State will recognize this year's two seniors —Myla King and Ashley Makruski — for all of their contributions to the volleyball program.
CRYSTAL CLINIC WAGON WHEEL CHALLENGE
Now in its ninth year, the challenge between the athletics departments at neighboring Kent State and Akron expands to include 16 NCAA varsity sports, as the Zips have added baseball and women's lacrosse programs. A victory in each sport add one point to the challenge standings. The school that accumulates the most total points in all varsity matchups for each academic year is presented with an overall series trophy.
Kent State trails early in his year's competition, 2.5-2.0, with points being won in football and soccer.
Kent State won the challenge each of its first four years but has lost by a single point each of the past four years following the temporary discontinuation of Akron's baseball program following the 2014-15 academic year.
Fans can learn more about the rivalry and follow this year's results and standings via WagonWheelChallenge.com.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Akron (16-9, 9-5 MAC)
The Zips have lost three of the past four matches and are coming off their first 3-0 setback of the conference season to Bowling Green on Saturday.
Serving tough has been a strength of Akron's teams in recent years, and this season's squad leads the MAC at 1.54 aces per set. The Zips are 9-1 record when recording seven or more aces.
The Zips feature a balanced attack and post 12.96 kills per set as a team. Elya Karsner (2.93 kills per set) and Alexis Adleta (2.78 kills per set) lead the offense at the pins. Ashley Richardson adds 2.78 kills per set with a .330 hitting percentage. Richardson ranks fourth in the MAC in blocking (1.09). Setter Emily Weigand averages 10.33 assists per set, which is second in the conference.
Libero Taylor Sharrits boasts a team-best average of 4.61 digs per set.
Buffalo (11-5, 7-7 MAC)
The Bulls are 4-1 over the past five matches with wins over each of the top-four seeds if the tournament started this weekend. Buffalo is just 2-6 in true road matches this season and 3-9 overall away from Alumni Arena. Although the Bulls are second in the MAC in blocking (2.13 per set) but last in digs (12.70 per set) and 11 in opponent hitting percentage (.236).
Outside hitter Polina Prokudina, a Preseason All-MAC East selection, leads the offense with 3.07 kills per set. During conference-only matches, Prokudina ranks fourth in kills (3.50 per set). Outside hitter Rachel Sanks adds 2.98 kills per set. Both players have posted 20 or more kills in three of the past five matches. Setter Scout McLerran registers 8.88 assists per set.
Middle blocker Lexi Nordmann leads Buffalo in blocking (0.97 per set) and hitting percentage (.325). Libero Paige Beck is the team leader in digs per set (3.77).
ALL-TIME VS. OPPONENTS
Kent State leads the all-time series with both Akron and Buffalo with a combined 78-50 mark.
Kent State is 45-37 against the Zips, including a 10-2 mark over the past 12 matchups. Kent State has won the past three meetings overall after losing the previous two matchups on the road. Head coach Don Gromala is 10-5 against the Zips.
The Flashes are own a dominant 32-13 all-time mark against the Bulls but has dropped four straight in the series. Head coach Don Gromala is 9-6 vs. the Bulls.
UP NEXT
The 2019 MAC Volleyball Championship will be held from November 21-24 inside of the Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow Kent State Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
