KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan volleyball team extended its winning streak to 13 in a row as it knocked off Akron in four sets (25-16, 22-25, 26-24, 28-26) on Saturday at University Arena. With the win, WMU became the first team to clinch a spot in next month's Mid-American Conference Volleyball Championship.
 
FINAL SCORE: Western Michigan 3, Akron 1
LOCATION: University Arena (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
RECORDS: Western Michigan (23-2, 13-0 MAC) | Akron (11-13, 6-7)
 
The WMU attack hit over .300 and had three players record double-digit kills for the second straight contest. The Brown and Gold posted a .314 hitting percentage for the afternoon, with Anna Calcagno spearheading the attack with a career-high 20 kills. Maggie King and Keona Salesman notched 17 kills apiece for Western Michigan. Logan Case set up the offense to the tune of 53 assists and Reeghan Boyer added a career-high four service aces to the offensive output.
 
Andelyn Simkins led the defensive effort with a match-high 26 digs, her fourth consecutive contest with 20 or more. The senior also added a career-high 10 assists for her first double-double of the season. Calcagno pitched in 13 digs for her second straight and team-leading seventh double-double of the campaign. The senior also paced WMU with four blocks.
 
A 4-1 spurt early in the first frame helped WMU grab a 7-4 edge. At 16-13, the Broncos went on a 9-3 run to close out the set, with Boyer's first ace of the match serving as the clinching point.
 
In the second set, Akron used a 6-1 stretch to break an 11-11 tie and move ahead, 17-12. Western Michigan responded with five in a row and seven of the next eight to grab a 19-18 edge. At 21-20 the Zips stormed back, tallying five of the ensuing six points to take the frame and even the match at one set apiece.
 
The Broncos raced out to a 7-1 lead in the third set, but Akron quickly answered with a run of its own to get back to within one, 8-7. At 13-12, Western Michigan rattled off four in a row to open up a five-point cushion, 17-12. With WMU hold a 21-17 advantage, the Zips used a 5-1 spurt to get back even, 22-22. The Brown and Gold tallied the next two points to get to set point, but the visitors responded, getting back even at 24-24. Calcagno followed up with a kill to get the Broncos back to set point, and then combined with Mary Clare Brusek at the net for a set-clinching block.
 
The Broncos wiped out an early deficit in the fourth set to draw level at 8-8. The Zips climbed back in front, 16-14, but WMU used a 6-1 surge to move ahead, 21-18. The visitors ripped off four points in a row to wrestle the lead back, 22-21. Three of the next four points went to Western Michigan, giving the hosts match point at 24-23. Akron fought off three consecutive match points before a Calcagno kill and King solo rejection sealed the 13th straight win for the Brown and Gold.
 
Western Michigan continues its homestand next week as it welcomes Ball State to University Arena for a critical Mid-American Conference series. First serve for Friday's series opener against the Cardinals is scheduled for 6 pm. For tickets to any WMU volleyball home match this season, visit wmubroncos.com/tickets, or call 1-888-4-WMU-TIX.