TicketsThe Bearcats were able to hit over .300 in two of the four games, but two sub-.150 performances led to a .210 overall performance for UC. In addition to Pongonis' match-high kills, Jenny Custer recorded her first career double-double with personal bests of 15 kills and 13 digs. She also matched her career-best with five blocks.
Jessie Nevitt reached double figures in kills for the first time in her short career, totaling 11. The redshirt freshman added five blocks, while teammate Myanna Hellsten recorded a match-high six. Freshman libero Melissa Zenz led all players with 28 digs and setter Noel Olson handed out 49 assists, while tacking on 11 digs.
Neither team could get much going in game one as Tulsa hit just .115 to UC's .060, in taking a 34-32 triumph. UC recovered for .300 hitting in game two, evening the match at one with a 30-22 victory. The Bearcats were actually able to outhit their foes in game three (.143-.090), but came up on the short end of a 30-27 decision. In the finale, UC again outhit Tulsa, .359 to .341, but again came up short, this time 30-25.
"Tulsa is an experienced team and we just made too many mental mistakes," said UC head coach Reed Sunahara. "We just need to put this one behind us and get ready for New Mexico State."
Three Hurricane players reached double figures in kills, led by Kassiana Urnau's 15. Dana Weddle added 12 on .409 hitting, while Amy Meyer tacked on 10. Setter Julia Sliva posted a match-high 51 assists, while Urnau led her squad with 22 digs.
UC will wrap up play at the Las Cruces Classic on Saturday, taking on the host Aggies. That match will get underway at 4 p.m. MT.