TicketsAug. 28, 2010
SAN DIEGO - Behind a well-balanced offensive attack in which three players recorded double-digit kills, the University of Cincinnati volleyball team defeated Cal State Northridge 3-0 in the first match of Day 2 of the Aztec Invitational.
Senior Annie Fesl distributed 38 assists, put down three kills and led the Bearcats to .357 team hitting percentage in the three-set sweep. Fesl found the hot hand in senior Stephanie Niemer, who connected on 16 kills and finished the match hitting .500, while sophomores Jordanne Scott and Becca Refenes each added 10 kills.
Cincinnati (2-0) took advantage of some early attack errors by the Matadors and used four kills by Scott to take a 15-10 advantage in the opening set, forcing Cal State Northridge to burn its first timeout. Back-to-back kills by Niemer and sophomore Megan Turner increased the margin to seven points, 21-14, and kills down the stretch by Turner, Scott, and junior Missy Harpenau closed out a 25-17 first-set win.
With a first-set win under their belts, the Bearcats held a 9-8 lead in the second set before capturing five of the next six points to widen its margin to five points, 14-9. Later in the set with UC's lead still at five points, 22-17, Cincinnati exchanged side outs with Cal State Northridge giving the Bearcats set point. Refenes quickly sent the Bearcats into the intermission with a two sets to none lead after her kill gave the Bearcats a 25-19 win in set two.
Cal State Northridge jumped on top of Cincinnati in the early stages of the third set capturing seven of the first 10 points forcing the Bearcats to use a timeout. Despite the early deficit, the Bearcats slowly chipped away at their deficit and eventually used a Niemer kill to take their first lead of the set at 20-19. With the set tied at 20, Cincinnati went on a mini three-point spurt behind a Harpenau kill and ace and a Matador miscue to take command at 23-20. Leading 24-22, Niemer delivered the match-clinching kill to hand UC the 25-22 third-set triumph.
The Bearcats conclude the Aztec Invitational later this evening when they take on tournament host San Diego State at 10 p.m. EDT. The match can be watched live through http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/10-aztec-invite.html.