TicketsSep 6, 2013
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati volleyball team dropped a pair of 3-0 decisions on Friday against Ohio University and the University of Dayton at the Ohio Bobcat Invitational presented by Baymont Inn and Suites in Athens, Ohio. Sophomore Morgan Allred (Carrolton, Texas/Hebron) totaled 13 kills and 17 digs on the day to lead the Bearcats at the tournament.
Cincinnati fell to Dayton 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-18) in the second match of the day after keeping pace with the Flyers, who were ranked in the AVCA preseason poll, for much of the match. Allred led the way with six kills and nine digs while freshman Samantha Schrenker (Elmhurst, Ill./York Community) tied a career-best with five kills. The Bearcats tied their season high with eight total blocks, including five from junior Me'Ashsah Nicholson (Shiloh, Ill./Belleville Althoff) who ranked ninth in the American Athletic Conference in blocks per set coming into the weekend's matches.
With the game tied at 21-21 in the first set, Cincinnati scored three straight points on a UD service error, a kill by freshman Ciara Hill (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) and a block by Nicholson and junior Madi Lang (Commerce Township, Mich./Florida Atlantic) to take a commanding 24-21 lead. Dayton stormed back, however, to score the next five points and win the set 26-24.
The second set saw the Bearcats put together a six-point rally to come from down 15-11 to take a 17-15 lead. Schrenker posted two kills and a block during the run while freshman Shelby Green (Dripping Springs, Texas/Dripping Springs) served in two aces. Dayton responded immediately to regain the lead at 19-18 and ultimately win the game 25-21.
The Flyers were in control throughout the final game, topping the Bearcats 25-18 to win the match 3-0.
In the first match of the day against host Ohio University, UC's late match rally was not enough to overcome a slow start as the Bobcats won 3-0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-23). Allred tied a career-high with seven kills and added a career-high eight digs to the effort. Green had a career-high 15 digs to pace the Bearcats defensively.
Seven players either tied or set new career-high marks in the match, including Allred, Green, and Schrenker who set a new high with five kills before tying the mark in the second match.
Cincinnati will conclude the Bobcat Invitational with its toughest match of the season on Saturday when it faces No. 24 North Carolina at 12:30 p.m. in Athens, Ohio. UNC is the first ranked opponent for UC in 2013.
-GoBEARCATS.com-