TicketsAug. 7, 2012
CINCINNATI, Ohio - The University of Cincinnati volleyball team reported to camp on Tuesday morning ready to start a successful 2012 season. The Bearcats began camp with team pictures and meetings before opening the preseason practice sessions on Wednesday.
The defending BIG EAST Tournament Champions return nine letterwinners to a squad that finished 27-10 in 2011. The team earned the first BIG EAST tournament title in program history and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, its fourth consecutive appearance in the national championship.
The Bearcats will try to fill the shoes of Missy Harpenau, an AVCA All-America honorable mention team member who graduated in 2012. They will be led by senior middle blocker Jordanne Scott, a two-time AVCA All-America honorable mention winner who was named to the All-BIG EAST first team in 2010 and 2011.
UC also returns senior right side hitter Emily Hayden and senior middle blocker Becca Refenes who combined for 549 kills and 2.02 kills per set. It will also welcome the arrival of sophomore setter Madison Lang, a transfer from Florida Atlantic University.
Five freshmen join the program in 2012, including outside hitter Mackenzie Kitchel, who earned AAU All-America honors while playing Junior Olympic volleyball for Team Indiana and back-to-back first-team all-state plaudits at Center Grove High School. She will be joined by outside hitter/defensive specialist Morgan Allred, defensive specialist Mary Crema, outside hitter Amelia Wegman, and middle blocker Alison Kimmel, to form a young nucleus of talent for first-year head coach Molly Alvey.
The Bearcats will open the season at 5 p.m. on Aug. 24 against Iowa State at the University of Tennessee Tournament.