WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Shelby Fulmer tallied 17 kills, and Emily Weigand posted 38 assists, 10 digs and five aces to lead Akron to a 3-2 volleyball win over Georgia Southern in the Wake Forest Invitational at Reynolds Gym Friday night. 

Lauren Reichard matched her career high with 18 kills to go along with seven blocks for Georgia Southern (1-7), and Skylar Ball collected 12 kills and eight blocks. It was the Eagles' third five-set loss of the season, and one rally in the final set had 51 touches.

Key moments
A Reichard kill tied the score 11-11 in the fifth set, but Akron (5-2) scored the final four points of the match to take the victory. Weigand fed Kayla Gwozdz for a kill and served out the set, including an ace to set up match point.

Trailing 2-1 in the match, Akron used a 7-1 run to rally from an 18-13 deficit and take a 20-19 lead in the fourth set. Trailing 23-22, the Zips scored the final three points of the set behind the serve of Weigand, who finished the set with an ace.

Eagle of the Match
Reichard hit a team-high .371 and added six digs to go along with her 18 kills on 35 swings.

Quotables from coach Dustin Wood
"In the first set, we came out a little flat. We built some momentum at the end – it was too late in the set but it did help coming out in the second set. We made the adjustments we needed to and put complete sets together in two and three. We continued the momentum into the fourth and had a 17-12 lead. They made two great plays, it affected some our players and it got tight out there at the end of the fourth and fifth." 

"We have been in position to win most of our matches, but we are not putting the nail in the coffin when we should be. Pressure is a part of sports. We need to learn that in order be successful, players need to want to be in those pressure situations and take responsibility for failure and success, whichever the result is. We played well most of the match, but it doesn't mean anything until you finish."

"I thought we got Lauren (Reichard) back full swing tonight. Her numbers are where we are used to having them. She was a force, and we blocked very well as team. Jos (Morrow) had an amazing night with 20 digs and was solid all night. I believe if our other players can follow how those two handle themselves in between the ears, we will be just fine. It's coming together, but finishing and wanting to be in the pressure moments is what we are focusing on."

Next Up
Georgia Southern caps the weekend with two matches in the Wake Forest Invitational Saturday. The Eagles take on the host Demon Deacons at 11 a.m. and face Elon at 5 p.m.