TicketsCINCINNATI - Gamedays in Fifth Third Arena for senior Hannah Bolinger are what some players look forward to their entire career. Bolinger, born and raised in Cincinnati, can spot family, friends, and even neighbors in the crowd.
"It is really important and exciting for me to have a lot of people at the games...my fans, my neighbors," she said.
It is a dream come true for the Saint Ursula graduate who was named First Team All-League, First Team All-District and Third-Team All-Ohio in her senior year of high school.
"Still to this day, in my senior year, I look down and see the "C-Paw" on my shirt...I still can't believe it...it means everything to me."
Being a member of the University of Cincinnati volleyball team means everything to Bollinger. And because of that, the recent success of the volleyball program means more for her.
"I take it personally a little more, not only is this the team I am playing for, but this is my team because I have been a Bearcat my whole life," said Bolinger.
Bolinger is the captain this season, helping to guide the team and be a positive influence. She might not see much playing time on the court but she is proving that true captains make an impact no matter their role.
"If I can be the reason someone is motivated to lead our team to a win that is really important to me and I don't take it lightly," said Bolinger
Chemistry on a team is often critical in a successful season. Bolinger noted how the closeness with fellow seniors Maria Mallon, Shannon Williams, and Armania Heckenmueller has helped in the recent success of the team.
"It's crazy for us four roommates. We've been through a lot...we started freshman year and now we are all still here in senior year together," said Bolinger
The four girls have made hundreds of memories over the four years of playing together. Some major highlights have been playing with 2020 Olympic gold medalist Jordan Thompson and going Europe as a freshman and playing there in her first ever game as a Bearcat. But for Bolinger, some of her favorite memories extend even further than just playing for the volleyball team.
"It's hard to pick...Really all of it...going to the games when I was little. Basketball, football, and then volleyball. All of it really," she said.
Bolinger said this season is all about enforcing the "Bearcat way" and growing on and off the court. The impact of the younger players has impressed her this season.
"This season is a lot about proving ourselves and enforcing the Bearcat way...we have a lot of young players that are making an impact on the court and it's working and it is successful...showing them what we are all about."
A lot of physical and mental growth has helped Bolinger become a true captain of this team. She believes confidence plays a big role in being a leader.
"I am very confident in myself and my ability to lead and to get people to do the right thing. Get people to believe in themselves and encourage them."
Bolinger credits the incredible fan support for the on-court success. The Bearcats have started with five wins out of six matches at Fifth Third Arena this season. It is already the second-best return for wins at home since 2017.
"The sport is fun to watch and I don't think a lot of people know that till they come to the first game and then they are hooked and they keep coming," said Bolinger.
Growing up in Cincinnati, Bolinger has been going to events at Cincinnati with her family for as long as she could remember. Both her parents attended the University of Cincinnati and her uncle was a member of the baseball team.
"I grew up with every person in my family going to UC...my parents, my grandpa worked at UC. I was a Bearcat out of the womb and so being able to come here and play the sport that I love so much was actually a dream. When I was a little kid I would wear a Bearcat beanie everywhere...on school trips and stuff."
Looking back at her time, Bolinger said the experience of playing in Division I athletics came with a lot of highs and lows.
"It's given me a lot of confidence to be able to stay with it and stay to who I am...using that to lead and showing people to be themselves and that you don't have to change yourself if you are feeling high or low."
The Bearcats return to action tonight when they travel to play SMU at 8 pm on ESPN+.
Just another day of living the dream for lifelong Bearcat Hannah Bolinger.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
Follow the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can follow Head Coach Molly Alvey on Twitter.
"It is really important and exciting for me to have a lot of people at the games...my fans, my neighbors," she said.
It is a dream come true for the Saint Ursula graduate who was named First Team All-League, First Team All-District and Third-Team All-Ohio in her senior year of high school.
"Still to this day, in my senior year, I look down and see the "C-Paw" on my shirt...I still can't believe it...it means everything to me."
Being a member of the University of Cincinnati volleyball team means everything to Bollinger. And because of that, the recent success of the volleyball program means more for her.
"I take it personally a little more, not only is this the team I am playing for, but this is my team because I have been a Bearcat my whole life," said Bolinger.
Bolinger is the captain this season, helping to guide the team and be a positive influence. She might not see much playing time on the court but she is proving that true captains make an impact no matter their role.
"If I can be the reason someone is motivated to lead our team to a win that is really important to me and I don't take it lightly," said Bolinger
Chemistry on a team is often critical in a successful season. Bolinger noted how the closeness with fellow seniors Maria Mallon, Shannon Williams, and Armania Heckenmueller has helped in the recent success of the team.
"It's crazy for us four roommates. We've been through a lot...we started freshman year and now we are all still here in senior year together," said Bolinger
We have waited 410 days, and this weekend we get to finally step back on the court! #GRIT pic.twitter.com/3jhM36mG4k
— Cincinnati VBall (@GoBearcatsVB) January 26, 2021
The four girls have made hundreds of memories over the four years of playing together. Some major highlights have been playing with 2020 Olympic gold medalist Jordan Thompson and going Europe as a freshman and playing there in her first ever game as a Bearcat. But for Bolinger, some of her favorite memories extend even further than just playing for the volleyball team.
"It's hard to pick...Really all of it...going to the games when I was little. Basketball, football, and then volleyball. All of it really," she said.
Bolinger said this season is all about enforcing the "Bearcat way" and growing on and off the court. The impact of the younger players has impressed her this season.
"This season is a lot about proving ourselves and enforcing the Bearcat way...we have a lot of young players that are making an impact on the court and it's working and it is successful...showing them what we are all about."
A lot of physical and mental growth has helped Bolinger become a true captain of this team. She believes confidence plays a big role in being a leader.
"I am very confident in myself and my ability to lead and to get people to do the right thing. Get people to believe in themselves and encourage them."
Bolinger credits the incredible fan support for the on-court success. The Bearcats have started with five wins out of six matches at Fifth Third Arena this season. It is already the second-best return for wins at home since 2017.
"The sport is fun to watch and I don't think a lot of people know that till they come to the first game and then they are hooked and they keep coming," said Bolinger.
Growing up in Cincinnati, Bolinger has been going to events at Cincinnati with her family for as long as she could remember. Both her parents attended the University of Cincinnati and her uncle was a member of the baseball team.
"I grew up with every person in my family going to UC...my parents, my grandpa worked at UC. I was a Bearcat out of the womb and so being able to come here and play the sport that I love so much was actually a dream. When I was a little kid I would wear a Bearcat beanie everywhere...on school trips and stuff."
Looking back at her time, Bolinger said the experience of playing in Division I athletics came with a lot of highs and lows.
"It's given me a lot of confidence to be able to stay with it and stay to who I am...using that to lead and showing people to be themselves and that you don't have to change yourself if you are feeling high or low."
The Bearcats return to action tonight when they travel to play SMU at 8 pm on ESPN+.
Just another day of living the dream for lifelong Bearcat Hannah Bolinger.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
Follow the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can follow Head Coach Molly Alvey on Twitter.