TicketsPITTSBURGH – University of Cincinnati volleyball lost in straight sets Friday night at No. 12 Pitt in the Panther Challenge.
// NOTES
• Jordan Thompson led the team in kills and digs with nine and six, respectively
• Armania Heckenmueller had a team-high 17 assists
• Maria Mallon was second on the team with eight kills
• On defense, Damjana Cabarkapa had two blocks
// SET BREAKDOWN
Set 1: PITT, 25-18
Mallon scored the Bearcats' first point on a kill and then an error tied the opening set at two. From there, Pitt put together a 7-0 run. UC was able to answer with a 4-0 run of its own with help from a Thompson ace and Mallon kill. The Bearcats came within three, 10-7, on another Mallon kill. Unfortunately, another Pitt run added to the home team's lead. UC had a late surge, scoring four while facing set point, but the Panthers were able to secure the opening set victory.
Set 2: PITT, 25-13
The second set remained close until Pitt went up 11-5 after a few UC attack errors. Thompson got two points back later on with a kill and ace. Mallon also added in a kill late in the set, but six straight points from the Panthers sent the match to set three.
Set 3: PITT, 25-16
The Bearcats got out to a good start in set three. UC scored the first two points after an attack error and a Cabarkapa kill. Another Cabarkapa kill and an ace from Kerstin Ficker put UC up 5-2 early. Pitt answered back and tied the set at six on an ace. The Panthers then scored the next two to lead by two and force a timeout. Later on, a Thompson kill and Cabarkapa block made it a one-point set, 10-9. After a challenge paused the match, Pitt was able to score nine of the next ten points to get in control. Thompson added in three more kills after that, but two kills ended the match.
// UP NEXT
UC closes out action in the Panther Challenge on Saturday at 4 p.m. when it matches up with Cleveland State
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
Follow the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can follow Head Coach Molly Alvey on Twitter.
// NOTES
• Jordan Thompson led the team in kills and digs with nine and six, respectively
• Armania Heckenmueller had a team-high 17 assists
• Maria Mallon was second on the team with eight kills
• On defense, Damjana Cabarkapa had two blocks
// SET BREAKDOWN
Set 1: PITT, 25-18
Mallon scored the Bearcats' first point on a kill and then an error tied the opening set at two. From there, Pitt put together a 7-0 run. UC was able to answer with a 4-0 run of its own with help from a Thompson ace and Mallon kill. The Bearcats came within three, 10-7, on another Mallon kill. Unfortunately, another Pitt run added to the home team's lead. UC had a late surge, scoring four while facing set point, but the Panthers were able to secure the opening set victory.
Set 2: PITT, 25-13
The second set remained close until Pitt went up 11-5 after a few UC attack errors. Thompson got two points back later on with a kill and ace. Mallon also added in a kill late in the set, but six straight points from the Panthers sent the match to set three.
Set 3: PITT, 25-16
The Bearcats got out to a good start in set three. UC scored the first two points after an attack error and a Cabarkapa kill. Another Cabarkapa kill and an ace from Kerstin Ficker put UC up 5-2 early. Pitt answered back and tied the set at six on an ace. The Panthers then scored the next two to lead by two and force a timeout. Later on, a Thompson kill and Cabarkapa block made it a one-point set, 10-9. After a challenge paused the match, Pitt was able to score nine of the next ten points to get in control. Thompson added in three more kills after that, but two kills ended the match.
// UP NEXT
UC closes out action in the Panther Challenge on Saturday at 4 p.m. when it matches up with Cleveland State
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
Follow the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can follow Head Coach Molly Alvey on Twitter.