Bearcats to Host Pittsburgh in Exhibition Match, Honor Jordan Thompson Saturday Afternoon

CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati volleyball team welcomes the University of Pittsburgh to Fifth Third Arena for a 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon exhibition matchup. You can get your first look at the 2021 Bearcats team as they host the only exhibition game on their schedule. 

The last time the Bearcats faced off against Pittsburgh, they beat the Panthers 3-2 in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament to advance to the team's first ever Sweet 16 appearance. 

Former Bearcats volleyball standout and 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Jordan Thompson will also be in attendance for the match and will be recognized.

You can click the graphic above to listen to Coach Alvey and also click here to listen to Jordan Thompson media session.

Doors open at 12 p.m. Admission to all UC Volleyball matches is free thanks to the Experience UC initiative. Learn more online. Garage parking is available in Corry garage for $5.

From 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.,Thompson will host an autograph signing in the Vault on the main concourse. Please note: no outside items can be signed and no photographs taken due to COVID-19 protocols. Posters will be available at the table that she will sign and hand off. 

At 12:55pm, Jordan Thompson will be recognized on the court for her Bearcats and Olympic accomplishments. 

It will be a welcome return to normalcy for the program after last season was postponed to the spring due to COVID-19. The Bearcats went 6-7 on the season. Fans enter on the east side

LIVE STATS | BROADCAST LINK 

All home volleyball matches will be broadcast on ESPN+ and fans are encouraged to sign up for the digital platform online. 

UC returns almost the entire starting squad from last season, including senior Maria Mallon and junior Adria Oliver, who both earned AAC Second-Team All-Conference recognition. Senior Armania Heckenmueller, who led the NCAA in assists in 2019, also returns to the court along with key members who made an impact last season; juniors Maria Tobergte, Madison Waters, and defensive specialist Peyton Frederick.

The Bearcats' regular season gets underway with the Dayton Tournament against the Flyers (Aug. 27 - 12:30 p.m.), vs. Texas State (Aug. 27 - 7 p.m.) and vs. Kentucky (Aug. 28 - noon).

COVID-19 AND THE MASKING POLICY
In line with guidelines set by University leadership, protocols for fans attending volleyball matches inside Fifth Third Arena are:
• In accordance with current University policies, all attendees are required to wear a mask or face covering at any indoor athletic events, regardless of vaccination status, unless actively eating or drinking in their seat.
• Fans are not permitted inside the team bubble which includes the match floor and surrounding team areas and facilities.
• Masks and face coverings must adequately cover both the nose and mouth of the wearer.

FOLLOW THE BEARCATS 
For all the latest information on Cincinnati volleyball, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow UC volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can follow Head Coach Molly Alvey on Twitter.