TicketsCINCINNATI, OH --The Cincinnati volleyball team needed only four sets (25-23, 25-23, 24-26, 26-24, 26-24) to beat the SMU Mustangs Sunday at home at Fifth Third Arena.
The conference victory improved Cincinnati's record to 8-4 overall and 3-1 in AAC play. The Bearcats have won seven out of their last eight games and three in a row against SMU.
The Bearcats were led by a double-double from Maria Mallon, who registered 15 kills and 14 digs on the day. Shannon Williams also added 15 kills to help the offense. On the defensive end, Emme Madden chipped in for UC with 11 digs to go with two blocks from Abby Walker.
Game Notes
» Maria Mallon finished with her ninth double-double of the season and second in a row. The senior also hit 1,000 career kills with her last kill of the game.
» Cincinnati had four players in double figures in digs.
» Abby Walker had a match-high four aces in the win after coming off Friday's match where she had five.
» Shannon Williams had a match-high 15 kills for Cincinnati, her ninth game of the season with 10+ kills.
» Cincinnati attackers were helped by a team-high 48 assists from Emme Madden.
» UC is now 6-1 in matches that end in four sets this year.
» The Bearcats are now 3-0 at home this year.
More to celebrate 🎉
— Cincinnati VBall (@GoBearcatsVB) October 3, 2021
Congratulations @maria_mallon - in her last kill of the day she officially hit 1,000 career kills‼️ pic.twitter.com/Apvc09AWXB
How It Happened
SET 1 | Pinpoint serving helped the Bearcats take set one 25-23. Cincinnati totaled five aces in the set victory. UC jumped out to a 6-2 lead early, but SMU battled back to take the lead 16-15. The Bearcats then went on a 6-0 run an never looked back. The Bearcats opened up a 23-18 lead in the stanza and coasted to victory from there.
SET 2 | Cincinnati built on a set-one win by earning a 25-23 victory in the second set. UC went down early but clawed its way back to tie it at 7. SMU went on a 5-0 run to take the lead 13-9, but the Bearcats eventually tied it at 18. The Bearcats took the lead for good at 24-23 in a set that showcased three lead changes before the Bearcats took over in the second half of the stanza.
SET 3 | Cincinnati couldn't finish off the sweep, losing the third set to make their lead two sets to one in the match. The Bearcats fell in a back-and-forth battle, losing 26-24 in a set that featured six lead changes and was tied 16 times. Neither team had a lead of more than four points along the way.
SET 4 | Cincinnati then responded to finish off the match with an exciting 26-24 set-four victory. A strong showing on the attacking end led the Bearcats to victory in the set. Cincinnati registered a .375 attack percentage with 16 kills in the set win. The Bearcats rallied from down six at 19-13 to claim the win in a thrilling set..
NEXT UP
The Bearcats have a quick turnaround and will hit the road to face off against ECU on Wednesday. The matchup will take place in Greenville, N.C. at 7:00 p.m.