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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati volleyball team dropped its first conference decision on Friday night, falling 3-1 to SMU from Fifth Third Arena.
The Bearcats fell behind 2-0 in the match but dominated the third game to get on the board. UC held SMU to a -.031 hitting percentage in the set, forcing 10 attacking errors and only allowing nine kills.
The Mustangs hold a 13-2 overall record and were picked as the favorites to win the American Athletic Conference in the preseason coaches' poll.
// Notables
- With the loss, Cincinnati drops to 10-5 on the season and 2-1 in the American while SMU improves to 13-2 and 2-1.
- Netisingha recorded 12 digs in the match and has now tallied double-digit digs in each match this season.
- Roberson tallied 12 kills and has recorded double-digit kills in nine consecutive matches.
- The Bearcats out-blocked the Mustangs 10.0 to 9.0.
- The teams combined for 24 service errors in the match.
- The Bearcats and the Mustangs will meet again on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. ET in Dallas, Texas.
// Set Breakdown
Set 1: SMU 25, UC 17
- Roberson scored the first point of the match with a strong kill from redshirt junior setter Caitlin Ogletree (Montgomery, Texas/Houston).
- A kill by senior Me'Ashah Nicholson (Shiloh, Ill./Belleville Althoff) tied the score at 6-6, but the Mustangs turned in four straight points to force a timeout from head coach Molly Alvey.
- The SMU lead grew to 21-12 on a UC attacking error.
- The Bearcats climbed to within 23-17 after back-to-back SMU errors, but the Mustangs scored the final two points for a 25-17 victory.
Set 2: SMU 25, UC 15
- SMU scored the first three points of the game with two kills and a service ace.
- The Mustangs controlled the entire game, extending the lead to 20-11 after a dump by setter Avery Acker.
- A kill by Abby Bybel ended the game at 25-15.
Set 3: UC 25, SMU 20
- The Bearcats scored five consecutive points to take a 12-10 lead in the game. UC used kills by Roberson and sophomore Ciara Hill (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbtook) in the run.
- Back-to-back blocks by Nicholson/Hill and Nicholson/senior Madi Lang (Commerce Township, Mich./Florida Atlantic) brought the UC lead to 16-12. - A four-point scoring run for Cincinnati increased the lead to 21-16. UC used kills by Nicholson and junior Morgan Allred (Carrolton, Texas/Hebron) and two SMU errors in the scoring run.
- SMU forced its hand with a two-point rally that brought the Mustangs to within 21-18 for forced a UC timeout.
- With sophomore Lindsey Dinkelacker (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Louis) serving for the game, Roberson and freshman Maya Muldrow (Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield) combined for a block to give UC the 25-19 victory and keep the match alive.
- The Bearcats recorded five blocks in the game.
Set 4: SMU 25, UC 19
- The Mustangs scored five straight points to go ahead 10-6 in the game and held a lead through the remainder of the match.
- A block and two kills from SMU pushed the Mustangs' lead to 19-12.
- Three-straight points from UC tried to ignite a rally at 22-19, but the Mustangs won the match at 25-19.
// Up Next
The Bearcats continue the homestand with a match against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5. It will be just the second match between the two schools in program history.
// 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, visitGoBEARCATS.com/tickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX.
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