TicketsDec. 3, 2011
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -The University of Cincinnati volleyball team's NCAA run came to a close with a 3-2 loss against No. 21 Florida State (25-23, 16-25, 25-20, 20-25, 15-13) in the second round.
The Bearcats, who narrowly missed their first Sweet Sixteen berth, were led again by four players who recorded double-digit kills and the defense in the back court.
Two juniors recorded career-highs in kills. Jordanne Scott (Indianapolis, Ind. /Lawrence North) led the match with 25 kills and fellow junior Becca Refenes (Westland, Mich. /Lutheran Westland) followed with 21.
Senior Missy Harpenau (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mother of Mercy) ended her impressive career and her fourth consecutive NCAA appearance with a 14 kill and career-high 23 dig performance. Junior Megan Turner (Ontario, N.Y. /Wayne Central) rounded out the offense with 10 kills.
Sophomore Emily MacIntyre (Muncie, Ind. /Yorktown) was just shy of a career-high with 31 digs. Freshman Caylin Mahoney (Fort Worth, Texas/Keller Central) put up a career-high 72 assists in the loss.
The Bearcats recorded higher numbers in all but three categories in the loss.
Turner, Harpenau and Scott started the fifth and final set with kills to tie the score at 5. With the lead at the side switch 8-6, the Bearcats had the momentum. The Seminoles quickly gained it on their side after a few blocks and defensive plays 11-10. After several ties and lead changes at the end, Florida State finally ended the set and the match 15-13.
Scott and Refenes started the fourth set with kills and Harpenau added an ace for a Bearcat lead 8-2. The Seminoles fought back to decrease that lead 12-11. Harpenau then put down a kill from the back row and added an ace for the 18-14 lead. Two kills from Scott ended the set to force a fifth 25-20.
The Bearcats' offense came out of the break swinging with kills from Scott and Refenes thanks to digs from MacIntyre and a 6-4 lead. Mahoney then put a kill down over two Seminole blockers and Turner put two down of her own to increase the lead 13-7. Florida State then went on a 7-1 run to tie the score at 14. Junior Emily Hayden (Louisville, Ky. /Assumption) then recorded a kill on the ten-foot-line to put the Bearcats within three 23-20. Florida State got the set win with a block 25-20.
Kills from Scott and Harpenau and digs from Mahoney and MacIntyre started the second set with a 6-2 Bearcat lead. Additional kills from Scott and Refenes kept the momentum on the side of the Bearcats with a 16-10 lead. Turner and Hayden then added kills and Harpenau played respectable defense to stay ahead 22-14. The set ended with a Bearcat win 25-16 to bring the match to a tie 1-1.
The two teams traded points to start the match thanks to kills from Refenes and Hayden until the Seminoles were able to pull ahead 9-5. Kills from Scott and Harpenau then brought the Bearcats within four at 15-11. Mahoney and Hayden then teamed up for a block to shorten the Seminole lead 19-17. Harpenau then tied the score at 20 with a block with Refenes and a kill. The set ended with a roll shot in the middle of the court for the 25-23 Seminole win.
The Bearcats end their 2011 season with a 27-10 overall record.