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University at Buffalo
15-14, 5-10MAC
Akron
6-22, 2-13,MAC
Bulls Sweep Zips In Final MAC Home Contest
11/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BUFFALO, NY – The State University of New York, Buffalo volleyball team picked up a much needed victory on Thursday night, sweeping Akron, 3-0, in Alumni Arena. The victory was UB's second against the Zips this season as they improved to 15-14 on the year and 5-10 in MAC play.
The Bulls took the contest 25-14, 25-23, 25-20 as UB outhit the Zips, .267 to .118. UB dominated its way through the first set as it scored the first two points and never trailed. The Bulls opened up an early 10-4 lead following a service ace from freshman Skyler Day, her second during the early run. A kill by Day extended the UB lead to 18-9 and the Bulls cruised to the 25-14 victory in the first set.
UB scored the first five points of the second set and again led through out. The Bulls led 20-14 following an Akron attack error, but the Zips made a late run in the set to pull within 22-21. Akron remained within one at 24-23 when a kill from Akeila Lain gave UB the second set 25-23.
Akron took its first lead of the match in the final set as the Zips led early 4-3. However, the Bulls went on a 7-3 run and controlled the rest of the set. A service ace from sophomore Megan Lin extended the lead to 18-13 and despite the Zips pulling within 21-19, UB was able to end the match on a 4-1 run, capped off on a big solo block by freshman Cassie Shado.
"Tonight's win was big and our team continues to get better every time we step on the court whether it is in competition or in practice," said head coach Reed Sunahara. "We got some good play from our middles and we took advantage of that. We were a little tentative at times, but I like the way we fought we back tonight when we faced some adversity."
Day led all players with 13 kills as she had just three errors on 32 total attacks. Junior Amber Hatchett added nine kills and just two errors, while Shado had eight kills and just two errors. In fact, Day, Hatchett and Shado combined for 30 kills and just eight errors, hitting .338 as a trio. Senior Sable Staller and juniors Megan Lipski and Akeila Lain each finished with four kills apiece. Lin and junior Marissa Prinzbach each finished with 20 assists.
Defensively, Lipski had a match-high14 digs, while Day completed the double-double with 10 digs. She also added a match-high three aces. Freshman Niki Bozinoski also finished in double figures in digs with 10. The Bulls had 9.0 total blocks, led by seven from Shado and four from Lain.
The Bulls will conclude MAC play on Saturday at Toledo as they look to clinch a berth in the upcoming MAC Tournament. UB is fighting with Central Michigan and Bowling Green for the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament. UB's match vs. Toledo will begin at 5:00 pm.
