TicketsOct. 3, 2010
STORRS, Conn. - The No. 22 University of Cincinnati volleyball team moved to 15-3 overall and stayed perfect at 4-0 in BIG EAST Conference play after a hard fought 25-23, 25-22, 25-20 win at Connecticut at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn. on Sunday, Oct. 3. Senior outside hitter Stephanie Niemer led the way hitting a match-high.457 with 21 kills, six digs and three block assists, while sophomore middle blocker Jordanne Scott added eight kills and three block assists of her own.
Facing some of its toughest competition so far in league play, the Huskies jumped out to an 8-4 lead on the Bearcats in the opening set before head coach Reed Sunahara called a timeout to rally the team. Following the break, UC used a kill by Emily Hayden, a kill and service ace form Becca Refenes and a UConn attack error to knot up the set at 8-8.
Connecticut slowly began pulling away from Cincinnati again and looked like it would take the opening set, but with UConn leading, 23-19, Niemer stepped up once again and the Huskies began committing unforced errors. The Bearcats proceeded to score the next six points of the set and came from behind to win, 25-23. During the final stretch, Niemer added a pair of kills, while Connecticut committed three attack errors.
Gaining momentum after coming from behind in the first set, UC methodically built up a 22-16 lead over Connecticut in the second set thanks again to strong hitting from Niemer who posted a .385 percentage and knocked down five kills in the set. The Huskies tried to repeat the Bearcats' first-set fortunes, cutting the deficit to 24-22, but UC managed to hold on and win the set, 25-22.
The Bearcats took early control of the third set, getting out to a three-point lead at 12-9. The Huskies, who had lost their last 11 matches in a row, refused to give in and rallied to take a 16-14 lead on UC. Cincinnati quickly refocused its play the rest of the way and scored nine of the last 12 points on the way to the three-set win, its sixth straight-set victory in a row. Niemer posted a set-high nine kills and hit a remarkable .692 in the stanza.
Senior setter Annie Fesl posted her 18th consecutive match this season with 30 or more assists helping on 30 points. She also added a pair of kills and a block in the match.
UC takes its current eight-match winning streak into next weekend when it hosts DePaul on Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 10, the Bearcats will take on Notre Dame at 5 p.m. in a match that will be seen nationally on ESPNU. Sunday's match has been designated the "Ring of Red" game and fans are encouraged to wear red to the game.