TicketsAug. 19, 2011
CINCINNATI- After two weeks of preseason practices and lifting, the University of Cincinnati volleyball team will host an annual alumni match tomorrow, August 20 at 2 p.m. The day will consist of a number of scrimmages with former players in Fifth Third Arena.
Head coach Reed Sunahara returns eight letterwinners, including 2010 AVCA All-American Jordanne Scott (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) and 2009 AVCA All-Region performer Missy Harpenau (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mother of Mercy). In addition to Scott and Harpenau, juniors Emily Hayden (Louisville, Ky./Assumption), Becca Refenes (Westland, Mich./Lutheran Westland), Megan Turner (Ontario, N.Y./Wayne Central) and Karen Onuki (Troy, Ohio/Troy) will add to the core that will make a run toward a BIG EAST Championship.
Sophomore Emily MacIntyre (Muncie, Ind./Yorktown) also returns to the defensive side of the ball as the reigning starting libero. With the help of her classmates Brianna Richey (Tiffin, Ohio/Hopewell-Loudin) and Juliana Behrens (Honolulu, Hawai'i/Punahou School), this class will add a year of experience to a team of upperclassmen.
A group of newcomers will also be vital to this year's team. Freshmen Jordan Householder (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North), Caylin Mahoney (Fort Worth, Texas/Keller Central), Jamie Netisingha (Westmont, Ill./Hinsdale Central), Me'Ashah Nicholson (Shiloh, Ill./Belleville Althoff) and Erica Stahl (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) will challenge returners for playing time. Another newcomer is junior transfer Rachel Rohlfs (Cincinnati, Ohio/Grand Valley State University). She will look to battle Mahoney to fill the void of 2010 first-team all-conference setter Annie Fesl.
Looking for its first win against the current team, the alumni team highlighted by 2010 AVCA All-Americans Stephanie Niemer and Fesl. The depth of this group also includes two from the 2010 squad in Lindsay Upton and Julie Guenther. Jamie Frey, Jessica Elley, and Lindsey Peterson will also be there to challenge the 2011 team.
Cincinnati begins its 2011 season on Friday, Aug. 26 at the Northern Illinois Tournament against Iowa State in DeKalb, Ill. The team will then play another match Friday night, and two more the next day. Following the completion of that tournament, the Bearcats face Southeastern Conference powerhouse University of Kentucky August 30 in Lexington.