TicketsOct. 19, 2010
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The No. 23-ranked University of Cincinnati volleyball team defeated Western Kentucky University in four sets (21-25, 25-20, 25-21, 26-24) on Tuesday (Oct. 19) at EA Diddle Arena .
The Bearcats got off to a slow start in the first set, managing a .194 hitting percentage and lost, 25-21. Senior outside hitter Stephanie Niemer (Erlanger, Ky./St. Henry) led UC with four kills, while sophomores Becca Refenes (Westland, Mich./Lutheran Westland) and Emily Hayden (Louisville, Ky./Assumption) added three and two, respectively.
UC (18-4, 6-1 BIG EAST) bounced back in the second set, raising its hitting percentage to .310 thanks in large part to Niemer's seven kills, as well as Refenes' five and sophomore middle blocker Jordanne Scott's (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) four. The Bearcats also raised their defensive intensity in the second set, holding WKU to a .195 hitting percentage and recording three team blocks. Freshman libero Emily MacIntyre (Muncie, Ind./Yorktown) anchored the Cincinnati defense, totaling 25 digs overall in the match.
Cincinnati continued its aggressive play in the third set and again raised it hitting percentage, scoring at a .359 clip. Senior setter Annie Fesl (Arlington Heights, Ill./John Hersey) was a catalyst for the Bearcats offense, racking up 17 assists in the set on her way to 56 for the match. Scott led UC with eight kills, with Neimer adding six.
The fourth set, which featured eight lead changes and 15 ties, was by far the most dramatic, as UC overcame a 24-23 set-point deficit. Niemer led Cincinnati's attack with six kills in the set and finished the match with a game-high 23.
The Bearcats will put their first-place BIG EAST record on the line Saturday when they host the University of South Florida Bulls at 2 p.m. at Fifth Third Arena.