TicketsSept. 9, 2006
BOULDER, Colo.---The Cincinnati blocking machine was in full gear once again as 16.5 team blocks keyed the Bearcats to a three-game sweep of Central Connecticut State on Saturday afternoon in the final match of the Colorado Invitational. With victories of 30-13, 30-21, 30-23, the Bearcats improve to 7-2 on the year.
UC's middle blocking duo of Myanna Hellsten and Jessie Nevitt recorded eight blocks apiece, with the latter adding 10 kills on .667 hitting. Jessica Elley added a match-high 13 kills, along with seven digs and six blocks. Jenny Custer, the lone UC member of the all-tournament team, tallied 12 kills on .579 hitting.
"We are glad to get out of here with another win," UC head coach Reed Sunahara stated. "We have to continue to get better and be more consistent. I thought (Jenny) Custer had a good tournament and was very deserving of her all-tournament award."
The Bearcats blew through game one, threatening to turn the match into a rout with a 17-point victory. Cincinnati raced to a 10-4 lead, and then scored nine of the next 10 points to open a 19-5 advantage. UC continued to hammer the Blue Devils, limiting them -.100 hitting in the rout.
After a dominating game one, the Bearcats began game two sluggish and never really bounced back despite the nine-point victory. UC clung to a 9-6 lead when Chelsea Magee and Jamie Baumert connected on back-to-back kills to draw CCSU within a point. Central Connecticut fought to an 18-all tie when Katie Karkow dropped consecutive kills. Later, leading by just one, the Bearcats used a 6-0 run to open a 26-19 lead. The Blue Devils seemed to implode during the surge, as four straight errors, two on UC blocks killed CCSU's chances for the victory. Following the run, Cincinnati scored four of the final six points to go up two games to none.
The third game was another barnburner, featuring seven ties and four lead changes. The score was knotted as late as 20-all, when Cincinnati broke through with a 7-3 push to get within striking distance of the win. Leading 27-23, UC used an Elley kill, a block by Custer and Hellsten and a CCSU error to finish off win number seven of the year.
Central Connecticut State (3-3) got 10 kills from Karkow and seven digs from Amanda Olmstead.
After six consecutive matches on the road, UC will return home for a meeting with Morehead State on Tuesday night (Sept. 12). Match time from Fifth Third Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
All-Tournament Team
Amanda Olmstead-Central Connecticut State
Morgan Johnson-Southern Miss
Jenny Custer-Cincinnati
Kristen Karlik-Colorado
Amber Sutherland-Colorado
Ashley Nu'u-Colorado (MVP)