TicketsSept. 12, 2008
TEMPE, Ariz. - Behind a strong all-around defensive performance and a season-high 14 kills from senior Jessie Nevitt (Kennesaw, Ga./Kennesaw), the University of Cincinnati's volleyball team defeated Cal State Northridge in three sets (25-22, 25-18, 25-17) in its first match of the Arizona State University Sheraton Invitational. Cincinnati (5-2) recorded eight blocks compared to four for Cal State Northridge (4-3) and the Bearcats also out-hit the Matadors .308 to .117.
The opening set was a see-saw battle in which neither team could manage to increase its lead past two points until a Cal State Northridge kill and a Cincinnati ball handling error put the Matadors on top, 18-15. Despite trailing by three points as late as 20-17, the Bearcats maintained their composure and tied the set at 20-20 courtesy of kills from freshman Missy Harpenau (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mother of Mercy) and senior Jessica Elley (Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert), and a service ace from sophomore Stephanie Niemer (Erlanger, Ky./St. Henry). A Cincinnati service error put the Matadors back on top, 22-21, but consecutive kills by Nevitt followed by an Elley service ace and a Matador miscue, gave the Bearcats a 25-22 come-from-behind set-one win.
Two kills apiece from Niemer and Nevitt helped the Bearcats take a 6-3 advantage early in the second set. The Matadors closed the gap and eventually tied the set at 13-13, but Cincinnati withstood the rally and went on a six-point run to expand its lead to 19-13. From there, Cincinnati exchanged points with Cal State Northridge en route to a 25-18 set-two triumph.
Tied at 10-10 in the third set, the Bearcats defense aided an 8-2 Cincinnati spurt that put the Bearcats in front 18-12. Three of Cincinnati's eight points during the run came from its block as Nevitt and Harpenau teamed up for back-to-back blocks, while Nevitt and Elley recorded the other block. Cincinnati increased its lead to seven points on three different occasions, with the last at 24-17, before a Niemer kill cemented a 25-17 set-three victory for the Bearcats.
Nevitt connected on 14 kills in 22 attempts without making an error leading to a .636 hitting percentage. Defensively, junior Jaime Frey (Cincinnati, Ohio/Roger Bacon) anchored the UC back row with 15 digs.
The hosting Arizona State Sun Devils and the Montana Grizzlies continue tournament play at 3 p.m. (ET). Tonight, Cal State Northridge and Montana play at 8 p.m. (ET), before the Bearcats return to the floor against Arizona State at 10 p.m. (ET)