TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati volleyball team opens its Big 12 Conference slate with a two-match series against UCF, beginning Thursday at 6 p.m. inside Fifth Third Arena.
The Bearcats will also face the Knights at 6 p.m. on Friday night. UCF is currently receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coach Association's (AVCA)/Taraflex Division I Coaches Poll.
Cincinnati's matches will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+ and all matches can be followed at StatBroadcast.
// SERIES HISTORY
Cincinnati holds an 8-16 all-time record against UCF, with the first matchup coming in 1978. Cincinnati has dropped seven straight to UCF, dating back to 2019.
This will be the first time the two teams face off as members of the Big 12 Conference. The former American Athletic Conference foes met 22 times from 2013-22. UCF held a 15-7 record over Cincinnati during that span.
UC is 9-2 in conference openers under head coach Molly Alvey. The Bearcats have won their last seven conference openers, including a 3-1 decision at Tulane a season ago.
// LAST TIME OUT
Cincinnati went 1-1 at the Tru by Hilton Dayton Beavercreek Invitational, hosted by Wright State, last weekend. The Bearcats fell in five sets to Butler on Friday before picking up a four-set win over Wright State on Saturday.
Junior Abby Walker was named All-Tournament after averaging 2.44 kills, 1.44 digs and 1.00 blocks per set on the right side. She recorded a match-high 12 kills at a .393 clip vs. Wright State and posted a season-high seven blocks vs. Butler.
Cincinnati concluded its non-conference slate with a 7-3 record. It marked the most non-conference wins since the Bearcats went 8-4 against out-of-conference opponents in 2019.
// DIGGIN' THE DEFENSE
Five Bearcats are averaging more than 2.00 digs per set, with Skrabak owning a team-best 4.11 average. The Bearcats have out-dug their opponents in eight of 10 matches this season. UC ranks second in the Big 12 and 32nd nationally in digs per set (15.97).
Cincinnati posted a season-high 91 digs against South Carolina on Sept. 9. It marked the most digs in a match since October 15, 2021 when the Bearcats had 93 against Tulsa.
// IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Transfers Jadyn Bauss, Carly Skrabak and Katelyn Lefler have started and played in every set this season. Bauss has led the Bearcats in kills in all but two matches. She has finished with double-digit kills in all 10 matches, including 20-plus kills on three occasions. She sits 22nd in the nation in points per set (4.93) and 36th in kills per set (4.11).
Skrabak is averaging 4.11 digs per set as the team's starting libero. She's currently 17th among active career DI leaders with 1,643 career digs.
Lefler has recorded seven double-doubles in 10 matches this season. She ranks third in the Big 12 and 23rd nationally with 10.67 assists per set. She has recorded 40-plus assists four times this season. The Bearcats rank second in the Big 12 and 19th in the nation in assists per set (12.97).
// THIS IS VOLLEYBALL COUNTRY
Six Big 12 schools are ranked in the AVCA/Taraflex Division I Coaches Poll. Texas is ranked No. 9, BYU is No. 10, Kansas is No. 17, Baylor is No. 18, Houston is No. 20 and Iowa State is No. 25. UCF and TCU received votes.
For the second consecutive week the Conference is one of two leagues with six teams ranked. The 46% of the league ranked is the highest percentage of any conference.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati hits the road for single match at Kansas State on Saturday, Sept. 30 in Manhattan, Kan. First serve is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
// POINT BEARCATS CLUB
Cincinnati volleyball has announced the launch of Point Bearcats Club with memberships now on sale for the 2023 season. Point Bearcats Club allows fans to directly support the Cincinnati volleyball program and receive exclusive Cincinnati volleyball perks. Click here to become a member today!
// GROUP EXPERIENCES
Register your group for our pregame fan tunnel, anthem buddies, or pregame photo with Coach Molly Alvey this season. Groups will also receive a PA shoutout on the videoboard. Click here to sign up today!
// BIRTHDAYS WITH THE BEARCAT
Want to celebrate your birthday at a University of Cincinnati home volleyball match? This season you can request a birthday party for your child or loved one. Click here to sign up!
The Bearcats will also face the Knights at 6 p.m. on Friday night. UCF is currently receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coach Association's (AVCA)/Taraflex Division I Coaches Poll.
Cincinnati's matches will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+ and all matches can be followed at StatBroadcast.
// SERIES HISTORY
Cincinnati holds an 8-16 all-time record against UCF, with the first matchup coming in 1978. Cincinnati has dropped seven straight to UCF, dating back to 2019.
This will be the first time the two teams face off as members of the Big 12 Conference. The former American Athletic Conference foes met 22 times from 2013-22. UCF held a 15-7 record over Cincinnati during that span.
UC is 9-2 in conference openers under head coach Molly Alvey. The Bearcats have won their last seven conference openers, including a 3-1 decision at Tulane a season ago.
// LAST TIME OUT
Cincinnati went 1-1 at the Tru by Hilton Dayton Beavercreek Invitational, hosted by Wright State, last weekend. The Bearcats fell in five sets to Butler on Friday before picking up a four-set win over Wright State on Saturday.
Junior Abby Walker was named All-Tournament after averaging 2.44 kills, 1.44 digs and 1.00 blocks per set on the right side. She recorded a match-high 12 kills at a .393 clip vs. Wright State and posted a season-high seven blocks vs. Butler.
Cincinnati concluded its non-conference slate with a 7-3 record. It marked the most non-conference wins since the Bearcats went 8-4 against out-of-conference opponents in 2019.
// DIGGIN' THE DEFENSE
Five Bearcats are averaging more than 2.00 digs per set, with Skrabak owning a team-best 4.11 average. The Bearcats have out-dug their opponents in eight of 10 matches this season. UC ranks second in the Big 12 and 32nd nationally in digs per set (15.97).
Cincinnati posted a season-high 91 digs against South Carolina on Sept. 9. It marked the most digs in a match since October 15, 2021 when the Bearcats had 93 against Tulsa.
// IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Transfers Jadyn Bauss, Carly Skrabak and Katelyn Lefler have started and played in every set this season. Bauss has led the Bearcats in kills in all but two matches. She has finished with double-digit kills in all 10 matches, including 20-plus kills on three occasions. She sits 22nd in the nation in points per set (4.93) and 36th in kills per set (4.11).
Skrabak is averaging 4.11 digs per set as the team's starting libero. She's currently 17th among active career DI leaders with 1,643 career digs.
Lefler has recorded seven double-doubles in 10 matches this season. She ranks third in the Big 12 and 23rd nationally with 10.67 assists per set. She has recorded 40-plus assists four times this season. The Bearcats rank second in the Big 12 and 19th in the nation in assists per set (12.97).
// THIS IS VOLLEYBALL COUNTRY
Six Big 12 schools are ranked in the AVCA/Taraflex Division I Coaches Poll. Texas is ranked No. 9, BYU is No. 10, Kansas is No. 17, Baylor is No. 18, Houston is No. 20 and Iowa State is No. 25. UCF and TCU received votes.
For the second consecutive week the Conference is one of two leagues with six teams ranked. The 46% of the league ranked is the highest percentage of any conference.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati hits the road for single match at Kansas State on Saturday, Sept. 30 in Manhattan, Kan. First serve is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
// POINT BEARCATS CLUB
Cincinnati volleyball has announced the launch of Point Bearcats Club with memberships now on sale for the 2023 season. Point Bearcats Club allows fans to directly support the Cincinnati volleyball program and receive exclusive Cincinnati volleyball perks. Click here to become a member today!
// GROUP EXPERIENCES
Register your group for our pregame fan tunnel, anthem buddies, or pregame photo with Coach Molly Alvey this season. Groups will also receive a PA shoutout on the videoboard. Click here to sign up today!
// BIRTHDAYS WITH THE BEARCAT
Want to celebrate your birthday at a University of Cincinnati home volleyball match? This season you can request a birthday party for your child or loved one. Click here to sign up!