Tickets// FIRST SERVE
The first round of the NCAA Tournament begins Friday for University of Cincinnati volleyball. UC takes on Illinois State in Milwaukee, Wis., at 5:30 p.m. ET. Host No. 14 Marquette and High Point will play Friday night at 8 p.m. ET. The winners will advance to Saturday's 8 p.m. matchup with that winner advancing on to regionals.
// FOLLOW US
For up to the minute updates, follow UC Volleyball (@GoBearcatsVB) and Coach Alvey (@CoachAlveyUC) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Facebook (GoBearcatsVB) and Instagram (GoBearcatsVB).
// GOING LIVE
A live video stream will be provided at GoMarquette.com free of charge. Live stats will also be provided
// NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
• The Bearcats have made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances with four victories
• UC last made a trip to the NCAA postseason in 2016 when it traveled to Florida State and lost to the No. 16 team 3-1
• Prior to that, UC beat Samford 3-2 in 2011 before dropping a 3-2 decision to Florida State
• The Bearcats also earned a NCAA victory in 2010 when they defeated Western Kentucky in straight sets before falling at No. 14 Illinois 3-1
• UC also made NCAA Tournament appearances in 2009, 2008, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 and 1981
// CONFERENCE AWARDS
• UC finished in second place in the American Athletic Conference at 15-3 behind an undefeated and nationally-ranked UCF
• Jordan Thompson was named the unanimous Player of the Year after leading the nation in points and kills since the second week of competition
• It is the second time of the redshirt-junior's career earning the highest AAC award, as she was also named so in 2016
• Thompson is also the three-time AAC Preseason Player of the Year and was the 2015 AAC Freshman of the Year
• Jade Tingelhoff also repeated as AAC Setter of the Year after being named so in 2016
• She became the conference's career leader in assists this season and also led the conference in assists this year
• Freshman Maria Mallon garnered the first honors of her young career. She joined Thompson and Tingelhoff on the All-AAC First Team
// KNOW THE FOE: ILLINOIS STATE
Illinois State enters the tournament at 25-7 overall on the season. The Redbirds lost to Northern Iowa 3-1 in their last match in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Illinois State ranks 15th in the nation as a team in digs per set, 13th in kills per set, 12th in opponent hitting percentage and 18th in assists per set.
// SERIES HISTORY: BEARCATS vs. REDBIRDS
Cincinnati is 3-12-1 all-time against Illinois State. The two teams met in 2017 at the Redbird Classic with host Illinois State coming out with the 3-2 victory. Prior to last season, UC beat Illinois State in straight sets during the 2009 season.
// KNOW THE FOE: MARQUETTE
No. 14 Marquette earned a national seed after going 26-6 this year. In their last match, the Golden Eagles fell 3-1 at No. 9 Creighton in the Big East Tournament. Marquette ranks top ten in the nation as a team in a few statistical categories: aces per set (5th), assists per set (4th), hitting percentage (9th) and kills per set (4th)
// SERIES HISTORY: BEARCATS vs. GOLDEN EAGLES
The Bearcats are 29-8 all-time against the Golden Eagles, dating back to 1987. The last meeting between the two teams was in 2016 when Marquette, who was receiving votes in the national polls, won 3-1 at a neutral site. UC beat Marquette in the previous matchup, a five-set win in the 2011 Big East Tournament
// KNOW THE FOE: HIGH POINT
High Point is 21-9 on the year and won the Big South Conference Tournament after 3-0 victories against UNC Asheville and Radford. In the national statistics ranking, the Panthers are 24th in aces per set, 37th in assists per set and 20th in opponent hitting percentage.
// SERIES HISTORY: BEARCATS vs. PANTHERS
Cincinnati and High Point have never met on the volleyball court
The first round of the NCAA Tournament begins Friday for University of Cincinnati volleyball. UC takes on Illinois State in Milwaukee, Wis., at 5:30 p.m. ET. Host No. 14 Marquette and High Point will play Friday night at 8 p.m. ET. The winners will advance to Saturday's 8 p.m. matchup with that winner advancing on to regionals.
// FOLLOW US
For up to the minute updates, follow UC Volleyball (@GoBearcatsVB) and Coach Alvey (@CoachAlveyUC) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Facebook (GoBearcatsVB) and Instagram (GoBearcatsVB).
// GOING LIVE
A live video stream will be provided at GoMarquette.com free of charge. Live stats will also be provided
// NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
• The Bearcats have made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances with four victories
• UC last made a trip to the NCAA postseason in 2016 when it traveled to Florida State and lost to the No. 16 team 3-1
• Prior to that, UC beat Samford 3-2 in 2011 before dropping a 3-2 decision to Florida State
• The Bearcats also earned a NCAA victory in 2010 when they defeated Western Kentucky in straight sets before falling at No. 14 Illinois 3-1
• UC also made NCAA Tournament appearances in 2009, 2008, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 and 1981
// CONFERENCE AWARDS
• UC finished in second place in the American Athletic Conference at 15-3 behind an undefeated and nationally-ranked UCF
• Jordan Thompson was named the unanimous Player of the Year after leading the nation in points and kills since the second week of competition
• It is the second time of the redshirt-junior's career earning the highest AAC award, as she was also named so in 2016
• Thompson is also the three-time AAC Preseason Player of the Year and was the 2015 AAC Freshman of the Year
• Jade Tingelhoff also repeated as AAC Setter of the Year after being named so in 2016
• She became the conference's career leader in assists this season and also led the conference in assists this year
• Freshman Maria Mallon garnered the first honors of her young career. She joined Thompson and Tingelhoff on the All-AAC First Team
// KNOW THE FOE: ILLINOIS STATE
Illinois State enters the tournament at 25-7 overall on the season. The Redbirds lost to Northern Iowa 3-1 in their last match in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Illinois State ranks 15th in the nation as a team in digs per set, 13th in kills per set, 12th in opponent hitting percentage and 18th in assists per set.
// SERIES HISTORY: BEARCATS vs. REDBIRDS
Cincinnati is 3-12-1 all-time against Illinois State. The two teams met in 2017 at the Redbird Classic with host Illinois State coming out with the 3-2 victory. Prior to last season, UC beat Illinois State in straight sets during the 2009 season.
// KNOW THE FOE: MARQUETTE
No. 14 Marquette earned a national seed after going 26-6 this year. In their last match, the Golden Eagles fell 3-1 at No. 9 Creighton in the Big East Tournament. Marquette ranks top ten in the nation as a team in a few statistical categories: aces per set (5th), assists per set (4th), hitting percentage (9th) and kills per set (4th)
// SERIES HISTORY: BEARCATS vs. GOLDEN EAGLES
The Bearcats are 29-8 all-time against the Golden Eagles, dating back to 1987. The last meeting between the two teams was in 2016 when Marquette, who was receiving votes in the national polls, won 3-1 at a neutral site. UC beat Marquette in the previous matchup, a five-set win in the 2011 Big East Tournament
// KNOW THE FOE: HIGH POINT
High Point is 21-9 on the year and won the Big South Conference Tournament after 3-0 victories against UNC Asheville and Radford. In the national statistics ranking, the Panthers are 24th in aces per set, 37th in assists per set and 20th in opponent hitting percentage.
// SERIES HISTORY: BEARCATS vs. PANTHERS
Cincinnati and High Point have never met on the volleyball court