TicketsAug. 20, 2011
CINCINNATI- On Saturday afternoon, the University of Cincinnati volleyball team beat former teammates four out of five sets (25-21, 25-23, 25-18, 25-21, 16-18).
Nine alumni players from past teams showed up to challenge the 2011 squad. Senior Missy Harpenau (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mother of Mercy) led the match with 28 kills, while sophomore Emily MacIntyre (Muncie, Ind./Yorktown) led the team with 16 digs. Junior Rachel Rohlfs (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) posted a match-high 5 aces.
The first set began with four lead changes and overall competitive play. With the score tied at 14, junior Megan Turner (Ontario, N.Y./Wayne Central) went on a serving run to bring the Bearcats to 18. 2010 AVCA All-American Stephanie Niemer brought the alumni back into the game with a kill to make the score 19-20. After a few more points, Niemer and fellow alum Lindsay Upton recorded a block to make the score 20-24, in favor of the 2011 team. The score ultimately was 25-21.
The second set was the same format, with the teams battling every point. Junior Jordanne Scott (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) and her serve tied the score at 15 before the current Bearcats went on a run. The alumni argued a back row attack call late in the game, which didn't matter in the end because the current Bearcats beat the alumni 25-23.
The current Bearcats came out fighting on a 5-0 lead in the third set. Junior Becca Refenes (Westland Mich./Lutheran Westland) then went on a serving run to bring the team up 10-2. A kill from Jessica Elley gave the point to the alumni and brought the score to 12-5 but in the end the 2011 team came out on top with a score of 25-18. After this set, the alumni were hungry for a win and eager to play two more sets.
The alumni did not get a lead in the fourth set until the score was 14-13. With digs from Macintyre, Harpenau and freshman Jamie Netisingha (Westmont, Ill./Hinsdale Central), the Bearcats brought the score to 22-20. After a questionable touch call, argued by the alumni, the score was 23-20 in favor of the 2011 Bearcats. A repeated score of the first set, 25-21, ended the set.
The fifth and final set featured both teams earning one point at a time. Neither team led by more than one point until the last two. Kills from Elley, Lindsey Peterson and Niemer kept the alumni alive. A fitting end to the match featured current assistant coach Myanna Webster at the serving line. After three serves from her, the game and match was over with a score of 16-18 with the alumni team on the winning side.
The Bearcats open their 2011 season next weekend, Aug. 26-27, at the Northern Illinois Tournament, with matches against Iowa State, Northern Iowa, IUPUI and host Northern Illinois. The home opener for Cincinnati is not until September 20, when the Bearcats will take on Evansville.
Stat Leaders from the Match
Harpenau: 28 Kills
Rohlfs: 37 Assists
Macintyre: 16 digs
Refenes: 8 Blocks
Rohlfs: 5 Aces
Alumni
Niemer: 26 Kills
Fesl: 53 Assists
Niemer: 5 Blocks
Bailiff: 2 Aces