TicketsAug. 23, 2008
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati volleyball team played its annual alumni match Saturday evening as seven alumni returned to face the 2008 Bearcats squad. The Bearcats defeated the alumni in all four sets played, 25-13, 25-11, 25-22, 15-6.
Former Bearcats Rachel Torblaa, Julie DuPont, Maria Pongonis, Noel Olson, Jenny Custer, Rachel Beran and current volleyball assistant coach Myanna Hellsten comprised the alumni squad.
Behind strong serving, including two service aces, from freshman Missy Harpenau, the 2008 squad jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the opening set. After the alumni cut the lead to 12-5, Cincinnati took nine consecutive points to expand its cushion to 21-5. The Bearcats then cruised to a 25-13 game one victory. In the second set, the Bearcats were paced by sophomore Stephanie Niemer's six kills en route to a 25-11 win over the alumni.
In a tight third set that was as close as three points, 21-18, two kills by Harpenau, and kills by senior Jami Torok and Lindsey Peterson cemented a 25-22 third-set victory. Peterson led the Bearcats with five kills in set three, while two-time AVCA All-American Julie DuPont also posted five kills in the third set for the alumni.
Both teams played a final set to 15 points and with the score at 3-2 in the Bearcats favor, Cincinnati took 12 of the next 16 points to win the deciding set, 15-6.
Niemer led Cincinnati with 13 kills for the match.
Cincinnati opens its 2008 campaign on Friday, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. versus Wright State in its opening match of the State Farm Bearcat Invitational presented by the Vernon Manor.