Bulls Block Out Zips for 3-1 Road Victory

Tuesday, October 8

Akron, Ohio

6 p.m.

8-10,4-1MAC

Akron

7-10,3-2MAC

Buffalo

Akron

Bulls Block Out Zips for 3-1 Road Victory

10/8/2024 9:27:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Zach Monell

AKRON, Ohio – The University at Buffalo women's volleyball team (8-10, 4-1 MAC) defeated the Akron Zips (7-10, 3-2 MAC) on Tuesday evening, 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 25-18). The Bulls have now won four-straight to improve to 4-1 in conference play.

Akron was very aggressive throughout the match on the attack. The Bulls however, capitalized on their attacks. The Zips had 149 attempts to Buffalo's 123 and had 56 kills to the Bulls' 51. Buffalo outhit the Zips, .260 to .201. In total, Akron had 38 errors on the attack and from the service line.

It was a block party for the Bulls as they finished with a four-set season-high 14 blocks. Abby Leigh led the way with 10 total blocks, setting a new career high. With her performance, A. Leigh passed Kristin Bignell (2007-11, 389) for sixth all-time in program history for total blocks in a career. Katrin Trebichavska and Luli Arcucci were key contributors at the net as they had five and four blocks, respectively.

Mandy Leigh had her sixth double-double of the season with 42 assists and 10 digs. Trebichavska also recorded her sixth double-double on the season with 10 kills and 13 digs.

After having 12 digs on the night, Maria Futey passed Lindsay Matikosh (2000-03, 1,414) for fourth all-time in program history in career digs.

Throughout the night, there were only five lead changes, but there were 13 ties. In the first set, there were two lead changes and six ties. After being tied at one, the Bulls were able to take a 5-2 advantage and held the lead until the Zips' offense started to click. Buffalo was in front at 14-9, but Akron scored seven straight to lead 16-14. The Zips continued to lead late in the set, but the Bulls were able to tie it up at 20. Akron went up 22-20, but the Bulls went on a 5-1 run to close the set.

The offenses caught fire in the second set as the Bulls outhit the Zips, .500 to .410. Buffalo had 13 kills on 24 attempts with just one error. Despite outhitting Akron, the Zips came away with the win to tie the match at one. Buffalo led 18-13, but the Zips didn't go away and used a 4-0 run to tie the set at 22. After the Bulls took a 23-22 lead, Akron snatched the final three points of the set.

The Bulls jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the third set. It looked as though Buffalo would run away with the set, but the Zips stayed close. After the Bulls went on a 4-0 run to lead 24-17, the Zips went on a 5-0 run to make it 24-22. Manoela Forlin finished the set off with a kill.

After going into a 2-0 hole, it was all Buffalo the rest of the way. Leading 19-9, the Bulls were able to put the Zips away, 25-18. Akron hit a match-low .083 in the final set of the evening.

"Akron plays a very different tempo than most of the teams we have faced so it took us awhile to catch up to their rhythm," stated Head Coach Scott Smith. "I thought we did a good job of trusting ourselves and our system. Once we got their timing the blocking really took over and we were able to secure the win. Very happy with getting a win on the road against a tough team!"

The Bulls will remain on the road as they'll face Miami (OH) (7-10, 0-5 MAC) on Friday at 6:30 p.m. followed by Ball State (9-7, 2-3 MAC) on Saturday at 4 p.m.

For all the latest on UB Volleyball, follow @ubvolleyball on Twitter/X, @ub_volleyball on Instagram and like the UB Women's Volleyball Facebook page.

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