To open Mid-American Conference play, The University of Akron volleyball team mounted a thrilling comeback after dropping the first two sets to Buffalo, but the Zips (3-11, 0-1 MAC) came up just short in the final frame to lose 3-2 (19-25, 17-25, 28-26, 25-19, 10-15). With the win, the Bulls improve to 8-6 overall and 1-0 in the league.

The first two sets were controlled by UB, as the Bulls hit .378 and .310, respectively, while Akron’s offense sputtered. In a tight third set that featured 15 tie scores, the Zips turned it around and found a way to win after fighting off match point, down 24-22, and pulled off a 28-26 victory to send it to a fourth set.

UA used its momentum to race out to an 11-3 lead to take charge of the set, but Buffalo climbed all the way back to get within three at 22-19. Akron answered by slamming the door with three straight points to even the match and send it to the fifth.

The final set was tied at 9-9 until the Bulls took two points in a row and gained the upper hand. UA countered with a kill to make it 11-10, but the comeback ended there, as UB notched four consecutive kills to claim the match.

Senior Courtney Jarvis led the Zips with 15 kills on the night and also added 11 digs. Sophomore Alex Cocklin reached double figures with 11 kills, and freshman Mary Delich chipped in eight kills and two block assists. Back in the lineup at setter, Morgan Kuhn tallied 38 assists, two kills, nine digs, two block assists and a pair of service aces for a strong all-around performance. Starting libero Jill Paluch finished with 17 digs, while Christina Furda added 12.

The Zips return to the JAR on Saturday, Sept. 24, against Ball State. The match begins at 5 p.m. and will be Youth Day, where kids in attendance will be able to make signs to support the team.

The Buchtel Volleyball team is just that a 'TEAM' in every sense of the word.

Head Coach Francine Blake says her team this year is made of members of the Buchtel basketball, bowling, softball and track teams. Blake says "I have a young team this year and they started coming together as a unit both on and off the court. In the past, the girls did everything separate. It was me, me, me. Now, they believe in team. Instead of seeing 1 or 2 of the girls hang out together, now you see 4 or 5."

Plus, Buchtel's coaching staff this season has added a very important figure. Mary Howard, well known in Akron for coaching at Archbishop Hoban and St. Vincent-St. Mary has joined Blake's staff this year as an assistant coach.

Blake said "we've always communicated. Whatever school she's been at we've always played each other. Mary said she's always admired the way that I've coached my team. She said since I'm not coaching this year at St. V why don't I come and work with you. I said fantastic."

The Volleyball team is led by basketball player junior Ashaunte' Dent and Arnita Johnson, who runs track,

The Griffins have an overall record of 5-4. They're are 2-3 in the City Series which is good for a tie for third place.

Thursday night, Buchtel takes on Firestone in a City Series match-up.