Exciting Home Matchup: Bronco Volleyball Takes on Akron – Join Us at Western Michigan University!

Kalamazoo, Mich. – This week, the Western Michigan volleyball team is back in Kalamazoo for a two-match showdown against Akron. On Friday, they’ll host the annual Dig Pink match, encouraging fans to wear pink to support breast cancer awareness.

WMU (6-12, 3-2 MAC) will face Akron (8-8, 1-4). Here’s the schedule:

• Match One: Thursday, Oct. 9 | 5 PM
• Match Two: Friday, Oct. 10 | 5 PM

Fans can catch the action live or check stats online. Follow along on Twitter at @WMUVolleyball.

After a three-match road trip, the Broncos are eager to return home. They have a strong track record at University Arena, winning nine consecutive MAC matches on their home turf.

In their last outing, WMU faced Northern Illinois and narrowly lost all three sets, with each decided by just two or three points. Leah Richmond delivered another impressive performance, achieving her ninth consecutive double-double with 34 assists and 11 digs. Mary Clare Brusek recorded 12 kills at .375, while Amanda Glanton contributed 10 kills at an incredible .529 hitting percentage.

Richmond continues to shine this season. With a total of 660 assists, she leads the MAC and ranks third in all NCAA Division I. Her skills also place her just outside the top-10 in digs per set.

Elana Erickson, the new libero, has quickly made her mark. She’s garnered two MAC Defensive Player of the Week awards and leads the conference with 322 total digs. This ranks her eighth nationally in Division I. As a result, WMU stands fourth in total digs and ninth in digs per set across the nation.

The Broncos’ blocking game is also impressive, recording double-digit blocks in all five conference matches. Glanton leads in this area as well, with a team-high in total blocks during MAC play.

Historically, WMU has an excellent record against Akron, winning 33 out of 46 matches. The Broncos have won the last four encounters, maintaining a home winning streak against the Zips that dates back to 2002.

As volleyball enthusiasts tune in, they witness not only competitive sports but also a growing culture of support around health awareness initiatives like Dig Pink. Events like this engage the community and highlight the importance of breast cancer awareness amidst the sporting action.

For further insights on the impact of sports in raising health awareness, you can visit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

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