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KINGSTON, R.I. - The University of Cincinnati volleyball team swept the New Jersey Institute of Technology 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-18) on Saturday afternoon to be named the official champions of the Art Carmichael Invitational in Kingston, R.I.
The Bearcats topped the Highlanders on Saturday, in addition to two victories over Rutgers and Rhode Island on Friday, to win the title.
Junior Emma Roberson (Brooks, Ky./Evansville) was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after collecting 46 kills and hitting at a .438 attacking percentage in three matches.
In addition to Roberson, senior Jamie Netisingha (Westmont, Ill./Hinsdale Central) and junior Morgan Allred (Carrolton, Texas/Hebron) were named to the Art Carmichael Invitational All-Tournament team. Netisingha led all players in digs in each match, including a career-high 30 against Rutgers. Allred was consistent throughout the tournament but pounded a career-high 22 kills in the win over URI.
// Notables
- With the win, Cincinnati improves to 6-3 on the season while NJIT falls to 3-8.
- The Bearcats were named the Art Carmichael Invitational champions after a 3-0 performance on the weekend. It is the first time Cincinnati has gone undefeated at a regular-season tournament since beating Oklahoma, Sam Houston State and North Texas at the North Texas Tournament in September of 2011.
- Cincinnati has now won four straight matches for the first time since going on a 12-game winning streak from Oct. 18 to Nov. 20, 2011.
- The Bearcats' offense dominated NJIT in virtually every aspect. Cincinnati led the battle in kills (45 to 27), hitting percentage (.386 to .239) and assists (45 to 25).
- UC's .386 hitting clip is the highest percentage of the season for team.
- The Bearcats never trailed during the match and were only tied with NJIT twice in the opening set.
// Alvey's Additions
"Today's match became very important for us to finalize what we came here to do" head coach Molly Alvey said. "NJIT is a team that keeps fighting, we saw that from them all tournament long. But we stayed disciplined and had a very balanced showing from everyone on the court. I am very proud of the team today."
// Set Breakdown
Set 1: UC 25, NJIT 12
- The Bearcats took control early in the game and used a three point scoring run, including kills by senior Me'Ashah Nicholson (Shiloh, Ill./Belleville Althoff) and redshirt junior Caitlin Ogletree (Montgomery, Texas/Montgomery), to go ahead 14-8.
- Four kills and an NJIT ball-handling error led to a five-point run to extend the Bearcats' lead to 21-11 and force the Highlanders into their final timeout of the game.
- Freshman Cortnee Bowser (Kent, Ohio/Theodore Roosevelt) scored the final point in the set with a kill, assisted by Ogletree.
- The Bearcats hit a blistering .640 in the game.
- Roberson and Bowser led with four kills apiece while Nicholson and Allred tallied three each.
Set 2: UC 25, NJIT
- Kills by Nicholson and Allred and an error by URI put the Bearcats on top 10-5.
- With UC up 17-9, the Highlanders went on the attack, scoring seven of the next nine points to get within 19-16. A pair of strong blocks got the run rolling for NJIT.
- Cincinnati responded with the next five points, including two service aces by Ogletree, to set up game point at 24-16.
- A kill by Allred gave Cincinnati a 2-0 match lead heading into the intermission.
Set 3: UC 25, NJIT
- Cincinnati raced out to an early 9-1 lead following three UC blocks and a handful of NJIT errors.
- The Highlanders pulled to within 14-11 but three straight points on kills by Bowser and Roberson (two) increased the lead to 17-11.
- The Bearcats maintained a comfortable lead through the end when a block by Roberson and Bowser ended the match with a sweep for UC.
// Up Next
The Bearcats return home to Fifth Third Arena to host the UC Invitational on Sept. 19 and 20. Cincinnati first faces Charleston Southern at 7 p.m. on Friday and will also match up with both Central Michigan and Tennessee State on Saturday.
// Follow the Bearcats
For all of the latest information on Cincinnati volleyball, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up to the minute updates, follow Cincinnati Volleyball (@cincinnativball) and Coach Alvey (@CoachAlveyUC) on twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Facebook and Instagram.
// Ticket Information
Season tickets for all 15 home matches can be purchased for as little $10. For more information, visit GoBEARCATS.com/tickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX.
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