Cincinnati Travels to Provo to Face No. 12 BYU

CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati volleyball team travels to No. 12-ranked BYU for a two-game series on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3-4,  in Provo, Utah.

Both matches are scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

// SERIES HISTORY
UC and BYU faced off for the first time in history last season in Provo. The Cougars, who were ranked No. 7 in the country, defeated the Bearcats in four sets on Sept. 2, 2022.

// LAST TIME OUT
Cincinnati fell to No. 22-ranked Houston in straight sets on Sunday in Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats (11-10, 4-7 Big 12) could not overcome a cold offensive attack, hitting a season-low -.009 in the match.

Sophomore Carly Glendinning led the team in kills (9) and digs (10) while freshman Zeta Washington chipped in seven kills and two blocks. Junior Molly Harrison was a bright spot on defense, registering a season-high seven digs.

// NEXT 'CAT UP
Outside hitters Elissa Alcantara and Carly Glendinning have taken over the attacking duties for the Bearcats. Since Sept. 22, Alcantara is averaging 2.50 kills per set across 38 sets played. She has led the Bearcats in kills in five matches during that stretch, including a career-high 23 kills at WVU on Oct. 19. Her previous career high of 22 kills came against Arizona on Nov. 1, 2019. Glendinning is averaging 2.38 kills and 2.74 digs per set over the last 10 matches. She has recorded three double-doubles in Big 12 play. 

// ABBY: ACTIVATED
Junior Abby Walker, who made the move to the right side on Sept. 8, turned in a pair of dominant performances against West Virginia (Oct. 20) and Texas Tech (Oct. 25). She averaged 3.50 kills per set at a .400 hitting percentage to go along with 1.13 blocks and 1.25 digs per set in the two-match win streak.

Walker set a new season high in kills (17) while hitting at an efficient .361 clip in UC's win over WVU. She registered 11 kills at a .474 clip to go along with eight digs and five blocks versus Texas Tech.

// MADE IN THE MIDDLE
Cincinnati has received valuable contributions from middle blockers Ligia Williams and Zeta Washington in Big 12 play. Washington is averaging 2.60 kills per set at a .305 clip and 0.93 blocks per set while Williams is averaging 1.70 kills per set at a .242 clip and 1.26 blocks per set.

In Big 12 matches only, Williams ranks second in blocks per set (1.26). She posted a career-high nine blocks in UC's win at West Virginia. She has registered five-or-more blocks in six Big 12 matches. Washington has recorded double-digit kills in six Big 12 matches, including a stretch of three straight.

Overall, Williams (1.17) and Washington (1.03) rank ninth and 12th, respectively, in the Big 12 in blocks per set.

// DIGGIN' THE DEFENSE
The Bearcats have out-dug their opponents in 15 matches this season. UC ranks third in the Big 12 and 79th nationally in digs per set (15.23). Cincinnati has held the advantage in digs in each of its Big 12 victories: K-State (72-65), TCU (80-70), WVU (66-63) and TTU (54-43).

Cincinnati posted a season-high 91 digs against South Carolina on Sept. 9. It marked the most digs in a single match since October 15, 2021 when the Bearcats had 93 against Tulsa.

// UP NEXT
The Bearcats continue their three-game road stretch with a single contest at No. 4-ranked Texas on Saturday, Nov. 11. First serve is set for 8 p.m. ET on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.