TicketsSept. 2, 2006
PEORIA, Ill.---Cincinnati pulled away late in all three games, picking up its second win of the weekend, a sweep of Western Illinois on Saturday at the Radisson Hotel Invitational. Behind a big game from sophomore Jessica Elley, the Bearcats were victorious by counts of 30-21, 30-24, 30-17, improving to 4-1 on the young season.
Elley tallied her fourth double-double in five matches, leading the Bearcats with 18 kills on .552 hitting and tacking on 10 digs. Jenny Custer added 10 kills in the win, while Myanna Hellsten contributed eight kills and six blocks.
The Bearcats jumped to a 9-5 lead in the opening frame, only to see Western Illinois (0-5) rattle off five consecutive points. UC rebounded from the onslaught, but still led by just a point at 21-20 when Jessie Nevitt connected on a kill. The Westerwinds climbed to within 22-21 when the Bearcats took over. UC scored the next nine points in a row, with Elley contributing five kills and two blocks in the run, leading to a 30-21 game one victory.
The second game started much the same with Cincinnati taking a 12-9 lead, but later clinging to a lead as little as 19-18. When Western Illinois got as close as 23-21, Cincinnati again turned up the heat, scoring seven of the final 10 points, with Custer this time spearing the effort. The junior hitter was big in the stretch, tallying two kills and two aces.
The final frame was close for awhile, but ultimately belonged to the Bearcats as UC hit a match-best .472 in a game in which it never trailed. The Westerwinds stayed close until 15-12, when Cincinnati outscored WIU courtesy of a 6-2 run to open a seven-point cushion. Up 25-17 with Elley serving, UC converted the final five points of the match, three on Custer kills and two on kills by Hellsten to seal the win.
The Bearcats held a sizable advantage in the hitting department, with a .353 to .153 edge. Jaime Frey had 16 digs to lead the defense and setter Noel Olson dished out 42 assists. Freshman Katey Schroeder turned in the best match of her young career, with a career-high seven kills on .389 hitting.
Amy Sauerwein, Patty Melinauskas and Erin Frick led the Westerwinds with eight kills apiece. Libero Jennifer Alexander led all players in the match with 20 digs.
UC wraps up play in the Radisson Hotel Invitational later today facing the host Bradley Braves at 7 p.m. CT.