TicketsOct. 9, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format
BEARCATS RETURN TO BIG EAST ACTION: Cincinnati looks to continue its momentum from the past week when it hosts Seton Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, and Villanova on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 2 p.m. The match versus Villanova on Sunday marks Cincinnati's DIG FOR THE CURE match to help support the fight against breast cancer. Fans are encouraged to donate money to help the volleyball team raise funs for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Fans also are encouraged to wear pink for the event.
BEARCATS THRIVE IN FIVE: After taking the first two sets against Dayton Tuesday evening, the Flyers bounced back and won sets three and four, sending Cincinnati to its second five-set match of the season and its first at home. Sophomore Stephanie Niemer recorded three kills and senior Jessie Nevitt put down three kills and three total blocks to help lead the Bearcats to a 15-10 set-five triumph. The win was CIncinnati's first five-set victory of the season. Nevitt and senior Jessica Elley tallied 16 kills apiece, while Nevitt also collected 12 total blocks for her first double-double of the season. Freshman Missy Harpenau had a solid all-around contest with 12 kills, 10 digs and three blocks.
NEVITT NAMED BIG EAST VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: After leading Cincinnati to a 2-0 record last week, including a four-set victory over Notre Dame on Sunday, Oct. 5, senior Jessie Nevitt was named the BIG EAST Volleyball Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday, Oct. 6. Nevitt led the Bearcats in hitting percentage for the week after hitting at a .588 clip. Nevitt recorded seven kills on eight attempts in a three-set victory over DePaul on Friday, Oct. 3, before putting 16 balls to the floor against Notre Dame. Nevitt made just three errors for the weekend and averaged 3.29 kps and 1.00 bps. This is the second time this season and the fifth time in her career that Nevitt has earned BIG EAST Player of the Week accolades.
HOME COOKING: Cincinnati improved to 7-0 on the season at home with a five-set victory over Dayton on Tuesday, Oct. 7. In home matches this season, the Bearcats are out-hitting their opponents .292 to .174 and they are averaging 2.74 bps compared to 1.76 bps for their opponents. Cincinnati plays two more home matches this week beginning with Seton Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10.
SECOND TO NONE, ALMOST: In Cincinnati's four-set win over Notre Dame, senior Jessie Nevitt moved past assistant coach Myanna Hellston on Cincinnati's total blocks chart. Nevitt moved past Hellsten on another blocking chart during the first set of Tuesday's win over Dayton. Nevitt's 11 block assists against Dayton gave her 500 block assists for her career, which now makes her 19 block assists away from passing Stephanie Meinig (1997-00) for first place on the programs' block assists chart. Nevitt also needs just 23 total blocks to pass Meinig for first place on the total blocks chart.
ABOUT SETON HALL: The Pirates come into the third weekend of conference action on a three-match winning streak and own a 10-8 overall mark and a 2-1 BIG EAST record. Sarah Osmun leads the squad averaging 3.14 kps, but the strength of the Pirate team lies in their back row. Seton Hall averages 16.45 dpgs, which ranks 22nd nationally. Allie Matters anchors the back row averaging 5.13 dps, which ranks 12th nationally.
THE SERIES WITH THE PIRATES: Friday marks the fourth meeting in the all-time series between Cincinnati and Seton Hall with the Bearcats owning a 2-1 series edge. Seton Hall won the lone meeting last season in five sets, but the Bearcats won the only match played in Fifth Third Arena in four sets in 2006.
ABOUT VILLANOVA: The Wildcats own an 11-7 overall record and a 2-1 BIG EAST record entering weekend matches at Louisville and at Cincinnati. After a loss to Pittsburgh to open BIG EAST action, Villanova has reeled off back-to-back conference wins. Dana Tartazky paces the offense with 3.77 kps, while Kim Maroon leads the team with 4.07 dps. Villanova leads the conference and ranks eighth in the country in service aces, averaging 2.06 aces per set. Chelsea Graman orchestrates the offense and averages 10.93 aps, which ranks 23rd nationally.
THE SERIES WITH THE WILDCATS: Villanova holds a 3-2 edge in the all-time series versus Cincinnati. The Wildcats defeated the Bearcats in five sets last year in Villanova and the home team owns a 3-0 record in the all-time series.