TicketsNov. 7, 2010
PITTSBURGH - The University of Cincinnati volleyball team defeated the University of Pittsburgh in three sets (25-14, 25-16, 25-20) on Sunday, Nov. 7, at the Fitzgerald Field House.
No. 21-ranked Cincinnati (24-4, 11-1 BIG EAST) got double-double performances from senior outside hitter Stephanie Niemer (Erlanger, Ky./St. Henry), with 13 kills and 10 digs, and junior outside hitter Missy Harpenau (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mother of Mercy), who had 12 kills and a match-high 17 digs. The double-doubles by Niemer and Harpenau were their second in as many days.
After exchanging points to open the first set, Cincinnati went on a 6-0 run, increased its leads to 11-3 and 19-10, before taking the set 25-14. The Bearcats had a .469 hitting percentage, while holding Pittsburgh to .036. Niemer's six kills and sophomore middle blocker Becca Refenes' (Westland, Mich./Westland Lutheran) five paced UC in the set, along with senior setter Annie Fesl's (Arlington Heights, Ill./John Hersey) 15 assists and Harpenau's six digs.
With the score tied 3-3 in the second set, Refenes smacked her seventh kill of the match, jumpstarting an 8-0 UC run. Niemer had three service aces in the set, including on consecutive plays to increase Cincinnati's lead to 21-11. Sophomore middle blocker Jordanne Scott (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) finished off the Panthers in the second with a kill, setup by Fesl, to give the Bearcats a 25-16 win and a 2-0 match lead. UC had a .375 attack percentage in the second, compared to Pitt's .207, and were led by Harpenau's eight kills and four digs.
Harpenau started the third set with a service ace and knotted her fourth double-double of the season when she racked up her 10th kill of the match, tying the third set score, 6-6. The set continued along neck and neck, featuring 18 ties. Niemer, who paced Cincinnati with five kills in the set, hit consecutive kills with the score knotted at 19. UC then capped off the set when Emily Hayden (Louisville, Ky./Assumption) slammed her fourth kill of the day.
The Bearcats are now on a seven-match win streak and remain tied with Louisville for first place in the BIG EAST Conference standings with just two matches remaining.
In its final road trip of the regular season, Cincinnati next plays at Syracuse on Friday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. EST before taking on Marquette in Milwaukee, Wis. on Sunday, Nov. 14, at 3 p.m. EST.