UA Sports News for September 1997
Press Releases are courtesy of the University of Akron Sports Information office.
September 29: Akron Soccer Wins Penn State Tournament
Eller Receives MAC Honor, Lolla Gains 100th Career Victory
The University of Akron soccer team took two more matches this past weekend to run its winning streak to six, defeating Army 3-1 on Friday and Pennsylvania 1-0 on Saturday to win the Penn State Invitational. The Zips, who tied host Penn State with a record of 2-0 on
the weekend, were named champions by virtue of a goals-scored tie-breaker. Seniors Desmond Johnston (Johannesburg, South Africa) and Brian Wild (North Canton), along with junior Allen Eller (Mentor) were named to the all-tournament team for the Zips (7-3). Eller was also named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week after scoring two goals in the win over Army.
The win over Army marked the 100th career collegiate head-coaching victory for Zips' mentor Ken Lolla. Now in his fifth season at UA, Lolla was the head coach for four seasons at Belmont Abbey. His head-coaching record now stands at 101-42-8 overall and 52-26-5 with the Zips.
The Zips, who have scored 20 goals while surrendering only six scores during the current win streak, now enter the Mid-American Conference portion of their schedule as they play host to nationally ranked Bowling Green (No. 18) on Friday at 7:15 p.m. The game also marks the beginning of a three-match home stand which includes MAC opponents
Eastern Michigan (Oct. 5) and Northern Illinois (Oct. 12).
Robert Linton to Head Zip Athletic Club Advancement Council
Robert Linton has been named as the new chairman of the Advancement Council for The University of Akron Zip Athletic Club. A partner in the law firm of Roderick, Myers and Linton, he is a 1957 graduate of UA with a degree from the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. He received his juris doctorate from The Ohio State University.
"Mr. Linton brings instant credibility and leadership to the Council," said Michael Bobinski, UA Director of Athletics. "His enthusiasm and support for our program make him a perfect choice. We are fortunate to have his leadership."
The Advancement Council is comprised of top executives, business leaders, alumni and friends of the athletic program, and assist the athletic director in long-range planning efforts and fund-raising concerns.
Spikers Take Two of Three at Kent Invitational
The volleyball team took part in the Kent Golden Flashes Invitational last Friday and Saturday and captured wins over Western Kentucky and Mercer on Saturday after falling to host Kent on Friday night in a Mid-American Conference matchup. Sophomores Kim Branam (Elyria) and Kim Schaper (Kalamazoo, Mich.) were both named to the all-tournament team. It was the second elite team of the season for Branam and the third for Schaper. The Zips (10-8, 1-2) defeated Toledo last Tuesday in the Glass City to gain their first MAC win of the season.
Akron will host West Virginia on Tuesday night at JAR Arena at 7:30, before Marshall and Ohio come to town for conference games this weekend.
Men's Tennis Wins Big Over St. Bonaventure
After a strong start two weeks ago in the Zips Collegiate Invitational, the men's tennis team came back for another good showing this past weekend as it defeated St. Bonaventure 5-2 at the courts on Jackson Field. Senior Brian Kunkler (Stow), junior Evan Sitarski (Cincinnati), sophomore Nate Furniss (New Philadelphia) and freshman
Brent Sitarski (Cincinnati) all won their singles matches, while UA tandems also won all three doubles matches. The men will travel to Eastern Michigan University to take part in their Fall Invitational this weekend.
The women did not fare as well, falling to St. Bonaventure 7-2. UA freshmen Karyn Ebelberger (Columbus) and Becky Schrager (South Euclid) both won their singles matches. The women will host their own Zips Collegiate Championship this weekend (Oct. 3-5) at Jackson Field.
The University of Akron soccer team is on a roll as it heads into the Penn State University Tournament this weekend. Winners in their last four matches, the Zips (5-3) came up big over the weekend as they defeated Robert Morris and Buffalo. In the 6-1 win over Buffalo on Sunday, junior Michael Apple (Copley) tallied eight points, including three goals and two assists in only 49 minutes on the field.
The Zips' four-match winning streak, which includes an overtime victory at Xavier, is the best run for the team since 1995. At the Penn State Tournament, the Zips will play a pair of 5 p.m. matches, meeting No. 24 Army on Friday and Pennsylvania on Saturday. The Blue and Gold will open Mid-American Conference play on the weekend of Oct. 3 when Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan come to town.
Junior midfielder Justin Millard (Strongsville) was named the
Mid-American Conference Gatorade Scholar-Athlete of the Week for the week of September 15. A key to the Akron defense, Millard also assisted on the game-winner against Cleveland State and had one goal and one assist in the win over Buffalo. Millard, the 1995 MAC Newcomer of the Year, is a 1996-97 First-Team District IV Academic All-American, and was First-Team Academic All-MAC in 1996.
Santek Named to Third Tourney Team of Season
Junior Brooke Santek (Portage, Mich.) was named to her third
all-tournament team of the year last weekend at Ohio State when the Zips (7-7, 0-1) were in Columbus to take part in the Buckeye Invitational. Joining Santek on the elite squad was sophomore Kim Branam (Elyria). As a team, Akron defeated Rice and Seton Hall before dropping a game to host Ohio State.
Akron opened Mid-American Conference play earlier in the week when it lost a 3-1 battle with Ball State University at JAR Arena. Freshman Julie McDivitt (Windham) got her name into the Akron record book with 37 digs in the match, the second-highest single match total ever for a Zip. It is also the most digs ever recorded against a Ball State team.
Akron will travel to Toledo for a 7 p.m. start with the Rockets on Sept. 23, and head to Kent this weekend (Sept. 26-27) to compete in the Golden Flashes Invitational. In addition to Kent, the Zips will face Western Kentucky and Mercer.
Tennis Opens with Strong Showing
The Zip men hosted their own Collegiate Tennis Championships last weekend and came away with three champions in singles play while one UA team took the top spot in doubles. The tournament, which included Chicago State, Dayton, Duquesne, Eastern Michigan, Robert Morris, Xavier and Youngstown, was the first action of the fall for the squad.
Junior Evan Sitarski (Cincinnati) took the top place in no.2
singles, while his freshman brother Brett Sitarski (Cincinnati) took top honors in the no. 4 singles. Senior Brian Kunkler (Stow) was first in the no. 5 singles matches. The UA championship in doubles came thanks to
senior Mike Bacon (Niagara Falls, Ontario) and Evan Sitarski ,who took first in no. 2 doubles competition.
The women's tennis team was in action at the Evansville Aces Tournament where freshman Jill Dister (Medina) placed second in the D flight while senior Grace deGuia (Lebanon) was third in the C flight.
Both teams will be home to host St. Bonaventure on Sunday, Sept. 28 at the courts on Lee Jackson Field at 10 a.m.
Golf to Take a Swing at Another Win
After an outstanding performance to open the fall season two weeks ago at the Yale Golf Classic, the Zips will try to continue their winning ways when they head to North Carolina-Wilmington and the Belvedere Plantation Intercollegiate, Sept. 28-30. Akron, who finished in a first-place tie with Rhode Island in the 37-team Yale meet, are led by senior Greg Boyette (Hudson), who was tied for second overall at four over par (70-70-74--214) during week one.
The University of Akron athletics department is notifying football season-ticket holders that the Blue, Yellow and Red parking lots off George Washington Boulevard are unavailable for Saturday's 44th annual Acme-Zip Game.
Due to the late completion of the Ohio Department of Transportation construction project, these parking lots have been relocated. Season pass holders should plan to use the service road (Red Cochrane Blvd.) off U. S. Route 224 to access the stadium, tailgate area and parking lots. The entrance tunnel at the southeast corner of the Bowl will be closed as well.
Tailgate City
UA will inaugurate "Tailgate City," across from Derby Downs, for the Zips' 44th annual Acme-Zip Game this Saturday. There will be food and beverage tents and a sports bar tent with four large screen TVs in Tailgate City for fans who want to get to the Bowl early for all of the festivities. In addition, WONE 97.5-FM will be on location for two hours leading up to the Zips' 7 o'clock kickoff with Bowling Green.
44th Annual Acme-Zip Game
An Akron sports tradition, the annual Acme-Zip Game provides entertainment for the whole family. This year's lineup includes: the kids' parade at 6:40 led by UA mascot "Zippy," skydivers who will deliver the game ball, halftime performances by Ohio's Pride -- UA's marching band -- and Whitney the Wonder Dog, and postgame fireworks. Tickets for the 44th annual Acme-Zip Game are priced at $9 for reserved seating and $7 for general admission. Local Acme supermarkets are offering discounted general admission tickets at $5 apiece. UA football tickets also are available through Ticketmaster or at the Athletic Ticket Office in JAR Arena. For ticket information, dial (330) 972-6920 or 1-888-99AKRON.
METRO/Zip Express
Free shuttle bus service from the University of Akron campus to the Rubber Bowl will be provided for all UA home football games. Anyone with a valid University ID card or UA game ticket is able to ride at no charge. The Metro/Zip Express begins 90 minutes before kickoff and picks up along East Buchtel, Carroll, East Exchange and Spicer streets. The last bus leaves the Rubber Bowl for campus 30 minutes after the game. For more information call METRO at 762-0341.
Reader Selected for Hula Bowl
UA fullback Jamie Reader (Monessen, Pa.) has been selected to play in the 1998 Hula Bowl, an annual all-star game for college seniors. The game is slated for Sunday, January 18, in Honolulu, Hawaii, and will be televised by ESPN. The 6-2, 230-pounder is the second Zip in as many years to be selected for such a game. Miami Dolphins rookie Jason Taylor was the North Defensive MVP of the 1997 Senior Bowl.
Reader has rushed for nearly 500 yards and caught 42 passes for almost 300 yards during his Akron career.
Hipsher Invited to Speak at Coaches' Clinic
University of Akron men's basketball coach Dan Hipsher will be among the guest speakers at the 1997 Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association State Basketball Clinic September 28-29 at the Holiday Inn-Worthington near Columbus.
Ohio State men's coach Jim O'Brien and women's coach Beth Burns will be the featured speakers.
Last May 30-June 2, Hipsher served as a court coach for USA Basketball at the 1997 Men's National Team Trials at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. A year ago, Hipsher was named to replace former Eastern Michigan (and current California) coach Ben Braun as the Mid-American Conference's representative to the National Association of Basketball Coaches' (NABC) Division I Congress.
The UA golf team turned in an outstanding performance to open the 1997-98 season by tying the University of Rhode Island for first place at the Yale Golf Classic on the par-70, 6622-yard Yale Golf Club in New Haven, Conn. Rhode Island was named the champion of the 37-team tournament based on a tie-breaking system of individual scores.
The Zips were paced by senior Greg Boyette (Hudson), who finished the weekend tied for second overall at four over par (70-70-74--214). Freshman Scott Cervin (White Lake, Mich.) turned in the Zips' next best
score with a twelve over par (74-75-73--222) tying him for twelfth place.
After a week off, Akron will travel to the Belvedere Plantation Intercollegiate Tournament at North Carolina-Wilmington on Sept. 28-30.
Pigatti to Speak at Local Coaching Clinic
University of Akron assistant basketball coach John Pigatti will
be one of the featured speakers at the Northeastern Ohio Coaches Clinic, to be held at Buchtel High School in Akron on Saturday, Sept. 27. In addition to Pigatti, the clinic is also scheduled to include Rollie Massimino (Cleveland State) and 21-year-veteran NBA official Joe DeRosa.
Antal Named MAC Soccer Player of the Week
Junior midfielder David Antal (Copley) has been named Mid-American Conference soccer player of the week after his performance on Friday in which the Zips defeated Xavier 3-2 in overtime. Antal knotted the game at 2-2 when he scored his first goal of the year with only :51 remaining in regulation time. Antal won the game for Akron in overtime when he scored again 4:28 into the extra period. The Zips (2-3)
begin a three-match homestand when they host Cleveland State on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 7:15 p.m.
Two UA Volleyball Players Honored; Sweitzer Breaks UA Career Win Record
Junior Brooke Santek (Portage, Mich.) and sophomore Kim Schaper (Kalamazoo, Mich.) each garnered their second all-tournament team awards of the season this past weekend when they were named to the elite squad following the Akron Zips Invitational. For Schaper, it was her second all-tournament award in as many weeks after receiving the same honor at the James Madison Tournament. Santek, the 1995 Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year, was named to the all-tournament team at the Wolfpack Invitational.
When Akron defeated Youngstown on Saturday, it was win number 118 for head coach Mike Sweitzer, making him the winningest coach in Akron
volleyball history. Sweitzer is in his seventh year as the Akron mentor.
Norris Takes First for Second Week in a Row
Senior Nate Norris (North Ridgeville) placed first for the second
week in a row as the men's cross country team captured the first four positions and eight out of the top nine in downing Robert Morris last Saturday at the Tommy Evans Invitational.
Women's Basketball Team to Participate in Northeast Ohio Race for the Cure
The UA women's basketball team is planning to take part in the 5k run portion of the Northeast Ohio Race for the Cure on Sunday, Sept. 28. The run/walk along with a one-mile fun walk will benefit breast health education and screening in Northeast Ohio, and national research for a cure. The event, one of 77 held nationwide, will start at the Wade Oval on University Circle in Cleveland. "It is important for the players to give back to the community, and this is one of the ways that we can do that," said UA assistant coach Cindy Sperry. "We have a variety of service projects planned throughout the year that will keep our athletes active in the Akron area."
The University of Akron athletics department today announced two appointments.
Frank Polito, assistant men's tennis coach at The University of Kansas, has been named women's tennis coach at UA. A native of Lorain, Ohio, Polito was a four-year tennis letter winner and team captain at Eastern Michigan, graduating in 1990. He coached the EMU men's racket squad for five years upon graduation and later served as head women's coach at Siena Heights College, and assistant women's coach, interim women's coach and assistant men's coach at Kansas from January of 1996 to present. He assisted Jayhawk teams which placed first and second in the Big Eight and Big 12 Championships, respectively.
Doug Geiser, a 1992 Cornell graduate and a former Triway High School standout, has been appointed video coordinator for the UA athletics department. The Zips' graduate assistant strength coach under Dan Bailey the last two years, Geiser also is assisting the football program as tight ends coach. He was a Dean's List student and center on the football team at Cornell. Geiser helped the Big Red of former NFL All-Pro Maxie Baughan win an Ivy League title in 1988. For three seasons (1992-94), he assisted
head coach Greg Gillum (now a member of the UA grid staff) at Lyndhurst Brush High School, serving as offensive coordinator and line coach. Geiser graduated from Triway in 1988, after lettering in wrestling and baseball and earning all-county notice in football.
Rubber Bowl is the Site for Nine High School Grid Games
The University of Akron Rubber Bowl will again be the site for Akron City Series football eight straight weeks beginning Sept. 19. However, the first high school game slated for the Bowl is this Saturday (Sept. 13) when Akron Hoban meets St. Vincent-St. Mary at 7:30 p.m. The two rivals renewed their series last fall at the Rubber Bowl.
The City Series schedule is as follows:
Sept. 19 Ellet vs. Firestone 7:00
Sept. 26 Kenmore vs. Garfield 7:00
Oct. 3 North vs. Central-Hower 7:00
Oct. 10 Buchtel vs. East 7:00
Oct. 17 Buchtel vs. Garfield 7:00
Oct. 24 Kenmore vs. Firestone 7:00
Oct. 31 Central Hower vs. Garfield 7:00
Nov. 6 City Series Championship 6:30
The Bowl also is expected to be a site for OHSAA playoff games for the fourth straight year.
Interceptions Record Stands the Test of Time
It may be a footnote on page 12 of The Official 1997 NCAA College Football Records Book, but that suits Barry Miller just fine.
Sixty years ago, Miller's father, Dick, intercepted six passes on October 23 for The University of Akron in a game against Baldwin-Wallace College. This year, for the first time, that mark is being recognized by the NCAA. College division statistics were initiated in 1946.
Dick Miller, who is deceased, picked off six of 16 Yellow Jacket pass attempts and led the "Zippers" to a 7-0 Homecoming win in 1937 at Buchtel Field. A crowd of 6,500 watched as coach Jimmy Aiken's 11-man lineup played the entire game without substitution and upset Baldwin-Wallace. One year earlier, B-W had drubbed Akron, 46-7. Miller, a prep star at Canton McKinley, finished the season with 13 interceptions, which also remains a UA record, but is two shy of Mark Dorner's NCAA record 15 for Juniata College in 1987.
Son Barry, general manager of the Comfort Inn in Streetsboro, is delighted that his father's niche in college football history has been recorded.
Golf Outing Planned for UA Football Lettermen
University of Akron football letter winners and members of the Varsity "A" Association have organized the first Lettermen's Breakfast & Golf Outing for September 20, the morning of the 44th annual Acme-Zip Game.
The Zips will entertain Bowling Green that night at 7 o'clock at the Rubber Bowl.
Breakfast will be served at 7:15 at the Holiday Inn Akron South with the golf scramble to begin at 8:15 at Chenoweth Golf Course, about one-quarter mile from the Holiday Inn. There will be a steak fry and tailgate at the Bowl leading up to the Zips' contest with the Falcons. The package for the entire day is priced at $60. All past Zip football players are invited to attend.
For further information, contact George Housos (Class of '84) at
(330) 434-4545 during the day or at (330) 494-0295 evenings.
Marshall to Cover for Sweitzer
University of Akron women's volleyball coach Mike Sweitzer underwent back surgery on Tuesday (September 9) and has been advised to rest for at least two weeks. First-year assistant coach Lisa Marshall, who completed her eligibility with the Zips in 1995, will direct the team until Sweitzer's return. Akron (3-4) opens its home schedule this Friday night
when Cleveland State visits JAR Arena for a 7:30 match. Marshall hails from Loudonville.
Senior Nate Norris (North Ridgeville) took first place in the men's race at the Black Squirrel Classic at Goodyear Metro Park in Akron, to open the season for the cross country team last Saturday. As a team, the Zips finished third in the quadrangular meet which was co-hosted with Kent (Kent-45, Duquesne-46, Akron-47, Pittsburgh-77). Joining Norris in the top ten finishers for Akron were junior Mickey Andrade (Stow) who was seventh (22:07) and sophomore Phil Kochik (Willoughby) who placed eighth (22:10).
In the women's race, freshman Laura Jones (Mentor) was the Zips' top finisher, placing tenth (21:08) on the 5 km track. The Akron women finished third in the race behind winner Kent, and Pittsburgh.
The Zips will be back at Goodyear Metro on Saturday as they host the Tommy Evans Invitational. The meet will feature Akron, Kent and Robert Morris with the men racing at 11 a.m. and the women starting at 11:45.
Zips Monday Night Football
Don't forget, Zips Monday Night Football can be seen every Monday evening at 8 p.m. on WAKC-TV 23. The one-hour program, hosted by Joe Dunn, is filled with game highlights from the previous week, scouting reports on opponents as well as interviews with coaches and players.
Volleyball Opens at Home with Invitational
The University of Akron volleyball team will get the opportunity to play at home this weekend when they host the Akron Zips Invitational September 12-13. Featured with the Zips will be Cleveland State, Duquesne and Youngstown State.
The tournament schedule is as follows:
Fri. Sept. 12 5 p.m. Youngstown vs. Duquesne
7:30 p.m. Akron vs. Cleveland State
Sat. Sept. 13 11 a.m. Cleveland State vs. Duquesne
1:30 p.m. Akron vs. Youngstown
4:30 p.m. Cleveland State vs. Youngstown
7 p.m. Akron vs. Duquesne
The Zips enter the tournament with a record of 3-4 after defeating Tennessee-Martin and Howard at the James Madison Tournament last weekend. Senior Rachel Phillips (Tallmadge) and sophomore Kim Schaper (Kalamazoo, Mich.) were named to the All-Tournament Team for the Zips. Phillips averaged 3.13 kills per game and had a hitting percentage of .457 for the weekend. Schaper, the Akron setter, averaged 10.88 assists per game to go with three service aces.
Zip Soccer Pushes National Power to Limit
Akron took part in the University of Virginia Coca-Cola Soccer Classic at UVa this weekend and gave No. 11 American all it could handle before finally falling 1-0. Akron (1-3) held American scoreless for over 60 minutes before the Eagles notched what would be the only tally of the match. Akron also fell short 5-1 to the host school, nineteenth-ranked host UVa.
Senior Desmond Johnston (Johannesburg, South Africa) and junior Lee Jones (Auckland, New Zealand) were both named to the All Tournament Team. For Jones, it was his second all-tournament team in as many weeks. He was also named to the elite squad following the Zip Soccer Classic last week at Lee Jackson Field.
The Zips will hit the road again this week as they travel to Cincinnati to face Xavier on Friday, September 12 at 7 p.m. Following that match, the Zips will be at home for three in a row with visits from Cleveland State, Robert Morris and Buffalo. Akron will not begin
Mid-American Conference play until Bowling Green comes to Jackson Field on Friday, October 3.
Former Manchester High School scholar-athlete Nate Schindewolf has transferred from Miami University to The University of Akron and will play basketball for the Zips in 1998-99.
A 6-5 shooting guard, Schindewolf tallied 2,076 points and twice was named Ohio Division III Player of the Year during a brilliant career at Manchester, graduating in 1996. He was a scholarship member of the Miami basketball program for the first semester last school year and then completed the academic year in Oxford.
"Nate has a great reputation as a basketball player and is just as fine a student (3.5 GPA out of Miami)," says Zip head coach Dan Hipsher. "He's athletic and can score. We recruited him exceptionally hard out of high school, and we're glad to have him come back. Nate brings a great local following and we expect him to be an integral part of our program."
Schindewolf played basketball for his dad, Gene, at Manchester. As a senior, he averaged 26.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while leading the Panthers to a 20-4 mark and a second straight PAC-7 championship. He converted 43 percent of his three-point attempts and was invited to play in the Ohio North-South All-Star Game.
As a junior, Schindewolf racked up 24.0 points and 6.6 assists per game as Manchester posted a 20-3 slate and reached the district semifinals.
As a prep quarterback in football, he threw for 2,500 career yards and earned first-team all-league and All-Summit County honors.
Schindewolf is required by NCAA transfer rules to sit out the 1997-98 season after seeing action in six games (23 minutes) and scoring 14 points for Miami last winter. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
Schindewolf joins former high school teammate Ryan Andrick on the Zip squad. Akron's roster now has seven former Northeast Ohio prep stars, including Jimmal Ball (Canton/Timken), Jami Bosley (Massillon/Jackson), Scott Gooden (Akron/Firestone), Ali Kart (Massillon/Jackson) and walk-on Josh Wittensoldner (Hartville/Marlington). The Zips open their '97-98 season Nov. 22 at Xavier.
University of Akron basketball is on the rise, and it is translating to ticket sales for the Zips. Although the first home game is still more than two months away, UA ticket manager Brian Moore announced today that the 1,144-seat lower chair-back section of James A. Rhodes Arena has already been sold out for the 1997-98 men's basketball season. It is the first time the lower section has been sold out since the 1988-89 season. Moore is now in the process of selling the remaining 700 reserved seats in the upper section of the arena. Contact the ticket office at (330) 972-6920, or toll free at 1-888-99AKRON.
Akron-Area Walk-On Earns Grid Scholarship
UA head football coach Lee Owens has been impressed with former Akron Central-Hower standout Jermaine Williams to the point that the one-time walk-on has earned a scholarship. Williams, a 6-2, 299-pound sophomore defensive lineman, was part of the travel squad for the Nebraska game last week but did not see action.
Harriers to Open Season at Goodyear Metro
Although it was originally scheduled to take place at Kent, the Zips and Flashes co-host a cross country invitational meet on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Goodyear Metro Park in Akron. In addition to Akron and Kent, the meet will also feature Duquesne and Pittsburgh. The men's race will begin at 11:00 a.m., while the women start at 11:30.
Lunch With The Coach Returns Next Week
After a one-week hiatus, Lunch With The Coach returns to the Martin Center on Monday, Sept. 8 at noon. The program, with host Joe Dunn, features head football coach Lee Owens, radio voice Steve French, and reviews and scouting reports on upcoming games. Call the Martin Center at (330) 972-7711 for reservations.
Booters Head to Virginia for Tourney Action
The Akron soccer team will continue tournament action leading up to Mid-American Conference play when it travels to Charlottesville, Va. this weekend to take part in the UVA adidas/Coca-Cola Classic Soccer Tournament. The Zips (1-1) will face second-ranked host UVA on Friday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and American on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1:00 p.m.
Akron kicked off the season last week, hosting the Zip Soccer Classic. Each of the four teams in the tournament (Akron, Bowling Green, Northeastern and St. Bonaventure) ended the tournament with a 1-1 record. BGSU was named tournament champion based on goal differential. The Zips received runner-up honors. Akron had three players named to the All-Tournament team including juniors Justin Millard (Strongsville) and Allen Eller (Mentor), along with sophomore Lee Jones (Auckland, New Zealand).
Santek Named to Tournament Team at N. C. State
Junior Brooke Santek (Portage, Mich.) was named to the All-Tournament team last week as the UA volleyball team (1-3) took part in the Wolfpack Invitational at N. C. State. One of the Zips' top returning players from last season, Santek was the Mid-American Conference freshman of the year in 1995. In addition to the tournament play, the Zips also visited North Carolina on Sunday, where senior Rachel Phillips (Tallmadge) recorded 10 kills in a loss to the Tar Heels.
The Zips will be back in action this weekend when they face Tennessee-Martin, Howard and James Madison as they travel to the James Madison tournament on Sept. 5-6.
Akron will open the home season on Sept. 12-13 when it hosts the Akron Zips Invitational at JAR Arena. The weekend of volleyball action will feature the Zips, along with Cleveland State, Duquesne and Youngstown.