TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati volleyball team dropped a four-set match to crosstown rival Xavier Saturday, 3-1, in nonconference action inside Fifth Third Arena.
Cincinnati (2-2) fell in the first two sets, 25-12 and 25-20, respectively, won the third 26-24 but fell in the fourth 25-20. Xavier (2-2) snapped a five-match skid against the Bearcats and picked up their first win in Fifth Third Arena since 2013.
The Bearcats hit .124 with 34 attack errors against a Xavier attack which posted a season-best .329 hitting percentage while outblocking UC 16-1.
NOTES
SET BREAKDOWN
SET 1: XU, 25-12
Cincinnati would drop early in the first set after an 11-point streak by Xavier would put them in a commanding lead of 12-2. Xavier continued the momentum with another four-point streak and a 13-point lead. A kill by Adria Oliver would start a small streak for the bearcats where Kerstin Ficker would deliver her first service ace of the afternoon. The Musketeers stunted the Bearcats rally going on to claim six of the last seven points and the first set.
SET 2: XU, 25-20
Xavier would hold on to their momentum going into the second, where a pair of kills by the Musketeers put them in an early lead that they would look to hold for most of the second. An ace by Ashley Kozer would give the Bearcats hope, tying it up at seven. Xavier's Delaney Hogan would take three kills in a row over the Bearcats, putting them up 13-9. Xavier would keep the lead for the remainder of the set where a service ace by Carrigan O'Reilly would set Xavier up for the set point, taking it the next rally on an attack error.
SET 3: UC, 26-24
Cincinnati would go point-for-point against the Musketeers tying it up at seven on a service ace by Payton Frederick. Xavier's MaryAnn O'Toole would answer just four points later with an ace of her own, putting them up by two. The battle would remain even where a kill by Norcom, set the Bearcats up for a 25-24 set point. Norcom delivered the final blow in set three with a UC win of 26-24.
SET 4: XU, 25-20
Shannon Williams would create some separation for the Bearcats after a service ace put them up 3-1. Xavier would push back tying it up at seven and going on a six-point run, led by Ellie Chaffee. Norcom would come off two good rallies for the Bearcats, putting up two kills and bringing them within one, with a score of 15-14. Xavier held onto the lead and pushed for a final three-point streak where an attack error in UC's favor forced a Xavier timeout. The Musketeers would return, delivering the match point in the form of a kill by O'Toole.
UP NEXT
Cincinnati returns home on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. where it will play host to East Carolina University in its first American Athletic Conference matchup of the season. The match up will take place over two days, returning on Friday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. to finish out the series. Both games will be live streamed on ESPN+ with live stats available at BearcatStats.com.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
Follow the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can follow Head Coach Molly Alvey on Twitter.
Cincinnati (2-2) fell in the first two sets, 25-12 and 25-20, respectively, won the third 26-24 but fell in the fourth 25-20. Xavier (2-2) snapped a five-match skid against the Bearcats and picked up their first win in Fifth Third Arena since 2013.
The Bearcats hit .124 with 34 attack errors against a Xavier attack which posted a season-best .329 hitting percentage while outblocking UC 16-1.
NOTES
- Sarah Norcom had a career day, leading the team with 13 kills, a career best. Norcom also finished the day with a kill percentage of .419.
- Maria Tobergte paced the Bearcats with 18 digs, a service ace and five kills.
- Ashley Kozer finished the day with a set of aces and 43 assists, putting her season total at 176.
SET BREAKDOWN
SET 1: XU, 25-12
Cincinnati would drop early in the first set after an 11-point streak by Xavier would put them in a commanding lead of 12-2. Xavier continued the momentum with another four-point streak and a 13-point lead. A kill by Adria Oliver would start a small streak for the bearcats where Kerstin Ficker would deliver her first service ace of the afternoon. The Musketeers stunted the Bearcats rally going on to claim six of the last seven points and the first set.
SET 2: XU, 25-20
Xavier would hold on to their momentum going into the second, where a pair of kills by the Musketeers put them in an early lead that they would look to hold for most of the second. An ace by Ashley Kozer would give the Bearcats hope, tying it up at seven. Xavier's Delaney Hogan would take three kills in a row over the Bearcats, putting them up 13-9. Xavier would keep the lead for the remainder of the set where a service ace by Carrigan O'Reilly would set Xavier up for the set point, taking it the next rally on an attack error.
SET 3: UC, 26-24
Cincinnati would go point-for-point against the Musketeers tying it up at seven on a service ace by Payton Frederick. Xavier's MaryAnn O'Toole would answer just four points later with an ace of her own, putting them up by two. The battle would remain even where a kill by Norcom, set the Bearcats up for a 25-24 set point. Norcom delivered the final blow in set three with a UC win of 26-24.
SET 4: XU, 25-20
Shannon Williams would create some separation for the Bearcats after a service ace put them up 3-1. Xavier would push back tying it up at seven and going on a six-point run, led by Ellie Chaffee. Norcom would come off two good rallies for the Bearcats, putting up two kills and bringing them within one, with a score of 15-14. Xavier held onto the lead and pushed for a final three-point streak where an attack error in UC's favor forced a Xavier timeout. The Musketeers would return, delivering the match point in the form of a kill by O'Toole.
UP NEXT
Cincinnati returns home on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. where it will play host to East Carolina University in its first American Athletic Conference matchup of the season. The match up will take place over two days, returning on Friday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. to finish out the series. Both games will be live streamed on ESPN+ with live stats available at BearcatStats.com.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
Follow the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can follow Head Coach Molly Alvey on Twitter.