TicketsVolleyball Sweeps Louisville In Spring Action
UC also splits with Kentucky, Illinois State
Contact: Shawn Sell
4/13/2004
Julie DuPont had 62 kills and hit .304 in three matches at the Kentucky Tournament on Saturday. |
LEXINGTON, Ky.---Behind a 25-kill performance from reigning Conference USA Player of the Year Julie DuPont, the University of Cincinnati volleyball team toppled Louisville to highlight play in a tournament hosted by the University of Kentucky last Saturday.
The Bearcats, co-champions of C-USA last season along with Louisville, had just seven players in uniform again at fully loaded Cardinal squad, but still prevailed by scores of 32-30, 30-25, 20-18. In addition to DuPont's 25 kills, Maria Pongonis added 14 and Leslie Newell had 10. The match with U of L was one of three on the day for the Bearcats, who also defeated Kentucky 30-28, 31-29, 12-15. A lack of healthy players caused the Bearcats to come up a bit short in their bid for a sweep as they fell to Illinois State, 28-30, 30-26, 9-15.
"Overall, it was a great day for us," said Bearcat assistant coach Stephanie Rosfeld, who ran the team in place of head coach Reed Sunahara, who was on a recruiting trip. "Julie and Maria both played really well and the tournament gave our team a good chance to get comfortable with each other and gain confidence against a conference rival. Without having any subs, everyone got a chance to show what they can do and some people got to play different positions that they don't always get to."
Against Kentucky, DuPont led the Bearcats with 10 kills, while Pongonis and Newell each added eight. DuPont saved her best performance for last as she pounded down 27 kills against Illinois State. Pongonis added 15 against the Redbirds, while Rachel Torblaa had seven.
The Bearcats will next be in spring action this Saturday when they travel to Ohio University to take part in the Bobcats' spring tournament.