TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati volleyball team returns to Fifth Third Arena for its Big 12 home opener on Saturday. The Bearcats will host UCF at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
SERIES HISTORY
Cincinnati holds an 8-18 all-time record against UCF, with the first matchup coming in 1978. Cincinnati has dropped nine straight to UCF, dating back to 2019.
The former American Athletic Conference foes met 22 times from 2013-22. UCF held a 15-7 record over Cincinnati during that span.
A WIN WOULD...
A LONG-AWAITED RETURN
Fifth year right side Irbe Lazda made her much-anticipated season debut vs. Iowa State after missing the first 12 matches due to injury. She came off the bench in the second set and finished with six kills and four blocks. Sophomore middle blocker Zeta Washington, who also faced injury challenges early in the season, added a match-high six blocks in three sets.
The duo's presence ignited a spark in the Bearcats, helping them secure a victory in the third set and nearly pushing the match into a fifth set against the Cyclones (19-25, 13-25, 25-21, 23-25).
BIG 12-OPENING SWEEP
Cincinnati kicked off its Big 12 campaign with a sweep over West Virginia on September 25 in Morgantown. The victory marked the Bearcats' second consecutive win in a league road opener. The Bearcats improved to 10-3 in conference openers under head coach Molly Alvey.
IN THE RANKINGS
The Bearcats rank fourth in the Big 12 in blocks per set (2.50). Individually, Walker ranks fifth in the category (1.20 blk/s) while Williams sits 12th (1.00 blk/s). Walker posted a career-high nine blocks in wins against both BGSU and Chicago State, tying her for 12th in the nation for blocks in a three-set match. In its victory over BGSU, UC notched 15 blocks, which ranks sixth in the nation for a three-set match.
Glendinning currently ranks sixth in the Big 12 in kills (3.74) and fourth in points (4.34) per set. Lefler sits fifth in the league and 37th nationally in assists per set (10.17).
SERIES HISTORY
Cincinnati holds an 8-18 all-time record against UCF, with the first matchup coming in 1978. Cincinnati has dropped nine straight to UCF, dating back to 2019.
The former American Athletic Conference foes met 22 times from 2013-22. UCF held a 15-7 record over Cincinnati during that span.
A WIN WOULD...
- Keep Cincinnati unbeaten at home
- Be Molly Alvey's 260th career win
- Snap a nine-match losing streak to UCF
A LONG-AWAITED RETURN
Fifth year right side Irbe Lazda made her much-anticipated season debut vs. Iowa State after missing the first 12 matches due to injury. She came off the bench in the second set and finished with six kills and four blocks. Sophomore middle blocker Zeta Washington, who also faced injury challenges early in the season, added a match-high six blocks in three sets.
The duo's presence ignited a spark in the Bearcats, helping them secure a victory in the third set and nearly pushing the match into a fifth set against the Cyclones (19-25, 13-25, 25-21, 23-25).
BIG 12-OPENING SWEEP
Cincinnati kicked off its Big 12 campaign with a sweep over West Virginia on September 25 in Morgantown. The victory marked the Bearcats' second consecutive win in a league road opener. The Bearcats improved to 10-3 in conference openers under head coach Molly Alvey.
The Bearcats extended their win streak to seven in row, their longest since 2019, when the Bearcats won 11 consecutive victories.
Senior Molly Harrison's serving was a game changer for the Bearcats. She ignited two key scoring runs, starting with a 6-0 spurt in the first set. When UC was trailing by three in the second set, Harrison stepped up again with a 4-0 run that featured two aces.
GIVE IT TO GLENDINNING
IN THE RANKINGS
The Bearcats rank fourth in the Big 12 in blocks per set (2.50). Individually, Walker ranks fifth in the category (1.20 blk/s) while Williams sits 12th (1.00 blk/s). Walker posted a career-high nine blocks in wins against both BGSU and Chicago State, tying her for 12th in the nation for blocks in a three-set match. In its victory over BGSU, UC notched 15 blocks, which ranks sixth in the nation for a three-set match.
Glendinning currently ranks sixth in the Big 12 in kills (3.74) and fourth in points (4.34) per set. Lefler sits fifth in the league and 37th nationally in assists per set (10.17).