TicketsOct. 8, 2010
CINCINNATI - The No. 21-ranked University of Cincinnati volleyball team got off to a blistering start in its match versus DePaul at Fifth Third Arena on Friday en route to a three-set sweep (25-11, 25-14, 25-20), extending its home court winning streak to a school-best 35.
Senior outside hitter Stephanie Niemer (Erlanger, Ky./St. Henry), fresh off BIG EAST Conference Player of the Week honors for the fourth straight week, paced the Bearcats with 19 kills and a .529 hitting percentage. Sophomore middle blocker Jordanne Scott (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) finished second with 15 kills. Senior setter Annie Fesl (Arlington Heights, Ill./John Hersey), whose 44 assists directed an offense that finished with a .456 team hitting percentage, also added 11 digs for a double-double.
In the first set Scott paced the Bearcats offensive attack with five kills, with Niemer, Becca Refenes (Westland, Mich./Lutheran Westland) and Emily Hayden (Louisville, Ky./Assumption) all recorded four each. UC (16-3, 5-0 BIG EAST) finished the set without an error on its way to an astounding .567 hitting percentage.
As the second set went on the Bearcats gradually increased their lead over Blue Demons, mounting 9-4, 17-8 and 23-12 advantages. Scott again led the UC with eight kills in the set, while Niemer recorded six more.
Set 3 was the most competitive, with DePaul taking an early 8-7 lead before UC regained the advantage and pulled away at the end. Niemer dominated the final set by notching nine kills.
The victory extended the Bearcats' winning streak to nine matches overall, including 24 sets in a row. The victory sets up a first-place BIG EAST showdown with Notre Dame at 5 p.m. on Sunday at Fifth Third Arena. The match has been deemed a Ring of Red event and will be televised live on ESPNU. Fans are encouraged to wear red to the game.