TicketsSept. 24, 2010
CINCINNATI - The No. 25 University of Cincinnati women's volleyball team extended its winning streak to a season-best five matches Friday, Sept. 24 vs. Seton Hall, knocking off the Pirates, 3-0, in Fifth Third Arena. Senior outside hitter Stephanie Niemer, sophomores Jordanne Scott and and Becca Refenes each posted double-digit kills in the match. Niemer also added 10 digs and four blocks.
Cincinnati and Seton Hall started the match with strong play from both sides never letting either team take control of the opening set. The Pirates held a small advantage throughout the early portion of the first set but could not post a lead of more than two points over Cincinnati. With the set tied at 18, Niemer, the reigning Sports Imports/AVCA Division I National Player of the Week, showed why she is one of the top players in the nation as she proceeded to put the set away for the Bearcats, scoring five of UC's last eight points for the 26-24 win. She finished with a set-best six kills. Senior setter Annie Fesl added 17 assists and three digs in the stanza.
In the second set, UC used its momentum it had built late in the first set to jump out to a 7-3 lead over Seton Hall. The Pirates chipped away at the Bearcats lead throughout the set tying it late at 20. With the set on the line once again Niemer caught fire for Cincinnati with four kills in UC's final seven points of the set.
After a pair of tightly fought sets, the Bearcats dominated the early parts of the third building up an 11-3 lead thanks to four attack errors and two service errors by the Pirates. Despite Seton Hall playing the Bearcats even the rest of the set, 14-14, the Bearcats wrapped up the third set to win the match. Scott and Niemer each posted seven kills in the third set and finished with 20 and 16 kills, respectively.
Fesl, the team's quarterback at the setter's position, recorded 47 assists and 10 digs for UC. As a team, the Bearcats hit .263 compared to the Seton Hall's .182 percentage.
Cincinnati closes out the first weekend of BIG EAST Play on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. as it takes on Rutgers in Fifth Third Arena. Girl Scouts, members of their families and friends and members of the UC Greek community will be offered $1 admission to the game as part of Greek and Girl Scout Day.