WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

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Nikki Morzenti

AKRON, OH - A career day by junior Nikki Morzenti (Safety Harbor, FL/Clearwater) and a gutsy comeback by the University at Buffalo volleyball team was spoiled by the Akron Zips who pulled out a 15-12 win in game five to take a 3-2 decision from the Bulls in Mid-American Conference action tonight at James A. Rhodes Arena. The Zips (7-8 overall, 2-1 MAC) took games one and two, 31-29 and 30-22, before the Bulls (7-8, 0-3 MAC) forced a fifth game with a 30-22 win in game three and a dramatic 35-33 victory in game four. Morzenti led the Bulls with a career-high 30 digs. She also recorded her 800th career kill and was one of five Bulls to reach double digits in kills with 13.

The Zips eventually came out on top in an even game one, and they earned an easy eight-point win in game two to take a commanding lead in the match. The Bulls, however, turned things around in game three, led by five kills from Morzenti. Buffalo dominated the game, hitting .319 compared to Akron’s .086. The Zips threatened to end the match when they took a 16-12 lead in game four, but the Bulls battled back to take a 21-20 lead. The game then went back and forth until two straight attack errors by Akron’s Molly Rutledge broke a 33-33 tie and gave UB the 35-33 win. Buffalo then held a slim 8-7 lead in the deciding fifth game, but the Zips put together an 8-4 run for a 15-12 win that ended the match.

Jenna Mape

Junior Jenna Mape (Calgary, Alberta/Father Lacombe) had a career-high 20 kills and 11 digs, and senior Amy Brown (Pittsburgh, PA/Mt. Lebanon) also recorded a double-double with 57 assists and 10 digs. Junior Lauren Burd (York, PA/Central York) (13), senior Katie Weekley (Dayton, OH/Chaminade-Julienne) (13) and junior Brandie Clark (Medicine Hat, Alberta/Medicine Hat) (12) also reached double digits in kills, and sophomore Lizaiha Garcia (Dayton, OH/Beavercreek) finished with 27 digs.

The Zips were led by Rutledge with a match-high 21 kills and Jennifer Stewart with 20 kills and 27 digs. Emily Kocinski added 16 kills and 14 digs, and Rachael Rush had 57 assists and 10 kills. The Zips hit .209 in the match compared to the Bulls’ .172, and they had 13 team blocks compared to the Bulls’ eight.

Buffalo remains on the road for a match at Ball State on Saturday at 8 pm ET.