Cincinnati Back in Fifth Third Thursday vs. Texas Tech

CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati volleyball team returns home for a Thursday night matchup against Texas Tech. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside Fifth Third Arena.
 
THE RUNDOWN

• Cincinnati will look to snap a four-match losing streak when the Bearcats host Texas Tech on Thursday. UC sits at 11-7 overall and 2-5 in the Big 12.
• The Bearcats concluded a tough stretch that featured three top-25 opponents. UC took a set from No. 18-ranked TCU before falling in four sets on Saturday.
• The Bearcats have used a 6-2 rotation over their last four matches, with Katelyn Lefler and Caroline Endres handling the setting duties. Endres notched her first double-double of the season with 14 assists and 10 digs vs. TCU.
• Lefler made her return to the court at Baylor after missing the Kansas match with an injury. She has recorded seven double-doubles this season and ranks eighth in the league in assists per set (9.31). She has dished out 40 or more assists in five matches.
• Freshman outside hitter Fallon Stewart led the Bearcats in scoring against two top 25 opponents last week. She posted 10 kills at a season-best .444 hitting percentage vs. Baylor. For the week, she averaged 2.85 points per set.
• Freshman libero Faith Frame has recorded 10-or-more digs in 13 matches and her 3.98 digs per set rank seventh in the league. She was recognized as one of eight standout freshmen on NCAA correspondent Michella Chester's mid-season top freshman list, released on October 20.
• Junior Carly Glendinning is averaging team highs in kills (3.56), points (4.13) and aces (0.27). She currently ranks seventh in the Big 12 in both kills and points.
• Glendinning has led the team in kills in 11 matches. She has registered double-digit kills in 12 matches overall, including 20-plus four times.
• Sophomore middle blocker Zeta Washington has made her return to the Bearcats' lineup and is averaging 1.06 blocks and 1.72 kills in Big 12 play. She had nine kills and three blocks vs. TCU.
• Sophomore Sydney Nolan is second on the team in kills (2.78) and third in digs (2.41). She has posted double-digit kills 10 times and has led the team in the category on four occasions.
• Nolan has five double-doubles on the season, including a stretch of three straight. She has posted 10-plus digs in seven matches.
• The Bearcats rank fourth in the Big 12 and 79th nationally in blocks per set (2.34). They have totaled 150 this season. Their 15 blocks at Bowling Green continue to pace the league and rank 10th in the nation for a three-set match.
• In Big 12 play, the Bearcats hold the advantage in blocking, 2.20 to 1.76.
• Senior Abby Walker ranks ninth in the league in blocks per set (1.08) and 11th in hitting percentage (.343). She has led the team in blocking 13 times.
• Redshirt junior Ligia Williams sits seventh in the conference in blocks per set (1.11).
• The Bearcats are 11-0 when they outhit their opponents. However, in Big 12 matchups, Cincinnati is currently being outhit, with opponents averaging .253 to the Bearcats' .219.
• Walker is just 41 kills away from reaching 1,000 for her career.
• Endres needs 154 assists to eclipse 1,000 in her career.
• Head coach Molly Alvey is two wins away from 200 at Cincinnati.

 
SERIES HISTORY
Cincinnati and Texas Tech are set to clash for the second time in their history, following the Bearcats' 3-0 victory in their inaugural matchup on October 26, 2023 in Cincinnati. Abby Walker registered 11 kills at a .474 clip to go along with eight digs and five blocks vs. the Red Raiders last season. Katelyn Lefler notched a double-double with 33 assists and 13 digs.
 
A WIN WOULD...

• Snap a four-game losing streak
• Be Cincinnati's second straight win against Texas Tech

 
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT
Faith Frame has been recognized as one of eight standout freshmen on NCAA correspondent Michella Chester's mid-season top freshman list, released on October 20. The list highlighted freshmen who are having breakout seasons in 2024. Notably, Frame was the only Big 12 volleyball player included, as well as the sole libero on the list. She has also earned the title of Big 12 Rookie of the Week twice this season.