TicketsNov. 4, 2011
The University of Cincinnati volleyball team returns home for this weekend's BIG EAST showdown. The matches are Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6 against Marquette and Syracuse. Both start at 2 p.m.
The Bearcats will look to several key players this weekend as they attempt to keep their longest home winning streak in the nation alive. Right now, the number sits at 46 consecutive wins in Fifth Third Arena, dating back to 2007. The team will be challenged by both the Golden Eagles and the Orange. Marquette comes into the match 10-0 in the BIG EAST and have already secured a spot in the tournament, which they are hosting. Syracuse is 6-4 in the BIG EAST, but always put up a fight against Cincinnati. Last year, the Bearcats took a 5-set battle from the Orange in New York.
Cincinnati is led on the year by senior Missy Harpenau, sophomore Emily MacIntyre and freshman Caylin Mahoney. Harpenau averages 3.43 kills per set and 0.36 aces per set, both numbers leading the team and are in the top 10 for the BIG EAST. Harpenau has been named to the BIG EAST's weekly honor roll three times this season so far. MacIntyre leads the back row with 3.92 digs per set in her libero position. Mahoney sits second in the BIG EAST for assists per set with 10.80 and has been honored by the BIG EAST by being named Freshman of the Week two weeks so far.
At the net, junior Becca Refenes leads the team with 1.11 blocks per set. Fellow junior Jordanne Scott has put up some impressive numbers over the last few matches. She hit .415 against USF last week and was named to the BIG EAST honor roll for her efforts. Scott and junior Emily Hayden have battled for the title of consistency this season as both have hit well. Last week, Hayden was the top with a .283 hitting percentage but with the USF match numbers added in, Scott now takes the top hitting percentage with a .283 mark. Hayden is a close second with a .278 hitting percentage respectively.
The matches can be followed online on the gametracker on gobearcats.com and on twitter @cincinnativball.
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