TicketsSept. 11, 2010
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Behind the second career 30-kill match by senior outside hitter Stephanie Niemer, the Cincinnati Bearcats volleyball team stopped a two-match losing streak and knocked off Auburn University, 3-1, in its final match of the Holiday Inn Charleston Riverview Classic in the Carolina First Arena.
The match opened much like its first two of the tournament. UC fell behind early and rallied before their opponent put them away late. The Tigers did the same, taking the first set, 25-22.
In the second set, UC and Auburn went back and forth early and were tied 14-14 midway through the set. From there, UC took over and finished out with an 11-4 run, including three kills by Niemer. The 25-21 win even the match at 1-1.
Auburn took control of the third set out of the blocks, running out to a 10-6 lead. UC then scored 11 of the next 14 points to take a 17-13 advantage in the set. Auburn hung around and fought back eventually tying the set at 20, but UC rattled off five of the next six points for a 2-1 lead in the match.
In the fourth set, Niemer, who was named to the all-tournament team, helped close out the 3-1 win by tallying eight of her game-high 30 kills as UC took the set, 25-19. She finished the match with a .333 attack percentage, 13 digs, and four blocks. Niemer accounted for 35 of UC's 76 points in the match.
The Bearcats (8-3, 0-0 BIG EAST) continue their six-match road trip next weekend as it travels to Louisville, Ky., for the BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge where they will face Illinois and Purdue on Sept. 17-18, respectively.