TicketsOct. 3, 2009
CINCINNATI - Leading two sets to one but trailing by nine points in the fourth set, it looked as if the University of Cincinnati volleyball team would be trying to capture a win its conference home opener against Pittsburgh in five sets. However, Cincinnati (11-7; 2-0 BIG EAST) used a combined 17 kills from junior Stephanie Niemer (Erlanger, Ky./St. Henry) and freshman Megan Turner (Ontario, N.Y./Wayne Central) to capture a 35-33 come-from-behind fourth set triumph to defeat the Panthers (10-7; 2-1 BIG EAST) 3-1 (25-20, 19-25, 25-20, 35-33) Saturday afternoon at Fifth Third Arena.
Both teams traded points early in the opening set before a four-point run, which included a Niemer service ace, placed UC in front 9-5. Consecutive kills by sophomore Missy Harpenau (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mother of Mercy) and freshman Jordanne Scott (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) gave UC its biggest lead of the set, 14-7, but Pittsburgh climbed back within two points at 16-14. Still in front by two points, 17-15, a kill by Niemer followed by her second service ace of the set helped the Bearcats pad their lead back to five points, 20-15. The five-point margin held as UC took the first set by a score of 25-20.
Pittsburgh capitalized on a few Bearcats errors and used kills by Megan Dooley and Amy Town to take a 10-3 advantage in the second set. UC slowly closed within striking distance before two Turner kills and a kill and ace from freshman Becca Refenes (Westland, Mich./Lutheran Westland) knotted the set at 18. From that point, the Panthers took seven of the next eight points to win the second set 25-19 and tie the match at one set apiece.
Cincinnati came out of the intermission and kept a two to three-point cushion early in the third set until a kill by junior Annie Fesl (Arlington Heights, Ill./John Hersey) kick started a six-point run that pushed the Bearcats to an 18-10 lead. Two kills by Harpenau and a kill by Niemer sealed the 25-20 third-set win.
The Bearcats struggled out of the gates in set four and fell behind 8-1. Pittsburgh's lead reached as many as nine points, 19-8, before UC began its surge. Two service aces by Niemer coupled with two Panthers attack errors cut the deficit to five points, 20-15. The run continued as a kill by Niemer followed by a Fesl kill through the seam brought UC within two points, 21-19, forcing a PITT timeout. After the set was tied at 23, Pittsburgh had eight tries to win the set but could not attain the set point. Tied at 33, a Pittsburgh attack error gave Cincinnati its second try at match point, and a transition kill by Scott cemented the 35-33 win.
Fesl dealt out 54 assists in the four-set win and finished with a season-high four kills. Niemer added 19 kills, 14 digs, and a season-high five service aces and the five aces gave Niemer 124 aces in her career, moving her into 10th place on UC's single-season assists chart. In addition to Niemer, Turner posted a season-high tying 12 kills and hit a season-best .409, while Scott also tallied double-figure kills with 11.
Cincinnati is back in action on Sunday, Oct. 4, when it closes out its first BIG EAST homestand against West Virginia. Sunday's match is a White Out and all UC fans are encouraged to wear White. Sunday's match also is Girl Scout Day as all Girl Scouts in uniform will enter for free.