Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Akron
Volleyball Zips Past Akron
10/30/2005 4:11:23 PM | Volleyball
Sophomore Melissa Bartlett posts 25 kills and 20 digs
YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team defeated Mid-American Conference East Division foe Akron Friday, Oct. 29, here at the Convocation Center. The Eagles won the match 3-1 (30-25, 28-30, 30-21, 30-21) for its first home victory over the Zips since a Oct. 29, 1994 three-set sweep at Bowen Field House.
With the victory, EMU improves to 7-6 (10-2 MAC) on the season, while Akron fall to 9-16 (4-9 MAC) on the season.
In game one, the Eagles led by as many as ten points, but the Zips rallied late in the game to close within four points at 25-21. However, it was too big a hole to crawl out of as the two teams exchanged serves until the Eagles closed out the first game, 30-25.
In the second frame, Akron jumped out to a 9-2 lead, but EMU closed the gap to four points at 18-14. Akron pushed the lead to a game-high nine points at 23-14. The Eagles made one more late run, but the Zips held on to even the match at one game a piece taking game two, 30-28.
Despite losing game two, the momentum was building for the Eagles as they reached the mid-point of the game first with a 15-9 lead. The Green and White held the same six point advantage at 27-21 and took a two games to one lead by winning game three 30-21.
In the finale, UA moved out to a quick 4-2 lead and continued to battle as EMU would not let the game get out of reach. Holding the slim two-point advantage at 12-10, EMU would rattle off three-straight points to claim its first lead in the fourth game. The two teams would exchange points and leads, but it was EMU went on a 13- 4 run to claim game four, 30-21.
Four Eagles tallied double-digit kills, including sophomore Melissa Bartlett who added 25 kills and 25 digs in the victory. Junior Lindsay Piccolini added 18 kills and five total blocks (1 solo, 4 assist), while senior Becky Baltare tallied 4 kills and 11 digs. Sophomore Kate Sulewski added 64 set assists.
For Akron, Molly Rutledge paced the attack with 26 kills and a block solo for a total of 28.5 points.
The Eagles continue their homestand Friday night, Nov. 4, as instate rival Central Michigan invades the Convocation Center. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
