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American Wins Nailbiter Over Akron, 3-2
Kucerkova sets career high with 33 kills

Karla Kucerkova set a personal best with 33 kills against Akron.

September 5, 2003 | Stats

AKRON, Ohio -- American University's volleyball team won its second straight five-game match, defeating Akron, 3-2. The Eagles were victorious in an exciting battle in the come from behind win. Senior Karla Kucerkova set a new career-high in kills for the second match in a row with 33 and posted a game-high 35 points.

AU (2-2) dropped the first game, 24-30, before winning the second, 30-27. After falling in the third game, 26-30, American was faced with game point in the fourth game, down 28-29. A kill by Kucerkova tied the match and the Eagles won, 33-31, on a block by Cutrina Biddulph and Natacha Cornaz. In the fifth game, a kill by Biddulph gave the Eagles a 16-15 lead before an Akron attack error helped AU to the 17-15 fifth game victory. The win is only AU's second five game win in the last five years when the Eagles trailed after three games.

In addition to her 33 kills, Kucerkova added 16 digs. She posted an impressive hitting percentage of .418 in the match. Biddulph (13) and Cornaz (11) also added double-digit kills for the Eagles. Biddulph also added two solo blocks and five block assists. Sabrina Vasconcelos posted a career-high 57 assists and 11 digs for AU while Jessica Tuthill had a career-best 17 digs.

The Eagles were outhit by the Zips, .237 to .235. However, American had four solo blocks and 11 team blocks compared to only four team blocks for Akron.

American concludes play at the Akron Zips Invitational tomorrow against No. 9 Penn State at 10 a.m. and Pittsburgh at 5:30 p.m.

Match Summary
Kills: American 70; Akron 78
Attack Percentage: American .235; Akron .237
Blocks: American 15; Akron 4
Assists: American 64; Akron 70