TicketsSept. 11, 2005
Contact: Shawn Sell
HONOLULU, Hawaii---Cincinnati overcame a slow start to snap a four-match losing streak with a four-game win over Cal State Northridge on Saturday night at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Challenge. In winning by scores of 28-30, 30-25, 30-24, 30-23, the Bearcats improve to 2-4 overall heading into this week's Bearcat Invitational.
Jenny Custer, one of UC's most improved players this season, recorded a career-best 18 kills and matched her personal-high with 13 digs, giving her double-double number three of the season. Maria Pongonis had 16 kills and a career-high 23 digs, while Erin Maldo also set a new personal best with 11 kills. Freshman libero Melissa Zenz earned a spot on the event's all-tournament team after going over 20 digs for the third straight match. Zenz totaled 29 vs. Cal State Northridge and averaged 6.17 per game for the tournament.
UC never led in game one and fell behind by as much as five early on. The Bearcats battled throughout, but a .127 hitting performance proved to be the squad's shortcoming as the Matadors hit .164 and won 30-28.
The Bearcats took an 18-12 advantage on a Custer kill in game two to open their largest advantage of the stanza. Cal State Northridge clawed back to within three at 27-24, but a Pongonis kill closed out the game and evened the score at one for UC.
Game three saw a dominating performance by the Bearcats, as they hit a match-best .436 to take the 30-24 victory. UC led by as much as eight in the game and leading 26-24, the Bearcats finished off the Matadors with a CSUN service error, a Myanna Hellsten kill and two kills by Maldo.
The Matadors took an early 2-0 lead in game four, but Cincinnati roared back to take the victory. Holding match point at 29-21, UC saw Northridge score two straight points to force a Bearcat timeout. Coming out of the break, the Matadors' Darla Donaldson serve was wild, giving the Bearcats the 30-23 game four victory.
Donaldson led the Matadors with 17 kills, while Jenn Probert added 13. Jamie Crawford paced Northridge's defense with 25 digs, while setter Kayla Wright added six kills, 46 assists, 12 digs and three blocks.
UC got a season-high 55 assists from setter Noel Olson en route to .208 hitting performance.
The Bearcats will head home for the first time this season when the State Farm Bearcat Invitational presented by the Vernon Manor Hotel opens on Thursday (Sept. 15). UC will host three matches during the tournament, with George Washington, Jacksonville State and Wisconsin-Milwaukee all visiting Fifth Third Arena.