TicketsNov. 12, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio---Behind another strong performance from Jessie Nevitt, Cincinnati wrapped up its second regular season of BIG EAST volleyball in style, sweeping USF on Sunday afternoon. With the 30-24, 30-18, 30-17 win, the Bearcats will finish the 2006 season tied for third in the BIG EAST. UC's seed and opponent for next weekend's BIG EAST Tournament will be determined later on Sunday.
For the second straight match, Nevitt was the match's dominant player, finishing with 11 kills on .611 hitting and a match-best nine blocks. She finished the weekend with 27 kills and 22 blocks. Jenny Custer added 12 kills against USF, helping the Bearcats improve to 21-6 overall and 10-4 in BIG EAST play.
USF got 11 kills from Marcela Gurgel, but UC limited the Bulls top player to a .083 hitting performance. Kristina Fabris added 10 kills, but hit .000 for the Bulls who fall to 12-15 overall and 7-7 in league play.
"I think we did what we had to do today," UC head coach Reed Sunahara said. "I felt like we played pretty well and our team defense was really good. Overall, I think it was one of our better matches of the season."
The first game was close all the way to the end and featured 11 ties and six lead changes. After a see-saw start to the frame, Cincinnati used a 4-0 run to snap a 16-all tie. USF charged back to within a point at 20-19, but a 5-2 Bearcat spurt caused a Bulls timeout at 25-21. Out of the break, UC used kills by Custer, Nevitt and Myanna Hellsten to finish off the 30-24 victory. Nevitt got the match off to a red hot start finishing game one with six kills on .667 hitting, along with a pair of blocks.
With the one game advantage, UC fell behind early by a 4-1 count in game two, but reeled off a 9-1 run to force the visitors into a timeout at 10-5. From there, Cincinnati was in control until the end, using a defense that limited USF to -.021 hitting and recording five team blocks. A Katey Schroeder kill later caused the Bulls' second timeout in a 23-15 hole. After a Johari Williams kill cut UC's lead to 25-18, the Bearcats took advantage of four straight USF errors, two of Bearcat blocks to wrap up the 30-18 triumph.
Cincinnati was never really challenged in game three, hitting .387 for the frame and holding its adversary to -.024. The Bearcats went to work early, using a 5-0 run to open a 13-5 advantage. UC's lead would reach double digits for the first time when a USF error made it 22-12 Bearcats. Down the stretch, Nevitt was a key factor, totaling two kills and a block in the last four points of the game as UC won by a 30-17 count.
Jessica Elley led all players with 16 digs and added five blocks as the Bearcats finished with 13.5 as a team. Jaime Frey contributed 13 digs from her libero position and setter Noel Olson handed out 40 assists.
The Bearcats will now await word on their BIG EAST Tournament fate that will come later tonight. UC will open regardless of seed on Friday in Fifth Third Arena.
Notes
- Series record: USF leads, 9-6.
- After losing three straight to the Bulls, Cincinnati has now beaten USF in the last three meetings, winning nine consecutive games.