TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati volleyball team claimed a five-set victory over Ball State on Thursday afternoon inside Worthen Arena.
Three Bearcats boasted double-digit kill performances. Junior Sydney Nolan (26k), senior Carly Glendinning (18k) and sophomore Gretchen Sigman (career-high 13k) teamed up to lead the offense.
Sophomore Lilly Gillespie held down the backcourt with a career-high 27 digs, 14 coming in just the first two sets. Sophomore Andi Spies chipped in 44 assists, her seventh consecutive match over 30, second this season over 40.
The first frame set the tone with both teams trading the first 14 points. Ball State edged ahead by three after the first media timeout (17-14). Out of the timeout, the Cardinals were able to go on an 8-1 scoring run. Despite a late offensive surge from Cincinnati, Ball State was able to claim set one 25-18.
Cincinnati quickly regrouped and was able to grab the first two points of the second set. Three straight points from Nolan pushed the Bearcats ahead by three and forced a Cardinals timeout. Coming out of the break, Cincinnati increased its run to 5-0 and was able to grab its biggest lead yet (22-12). UC’s energy didn’t stop there as they were able to grab set two, 25-13, powered by a late 6-1 scoring run.
The Bearcats began the third stanza with a 5-2 lead thanks to big swings from Sigman and Glendinning. Ball State found offensive rhythm, tied it up at six and eventually inched ahead by three (10-7). Back-to-back kills from Nolan brought Cincinnati back within three and forced a Ball State timeout (19-16). The Cardinals’ offense caught fire and grabbed an overall 2-1 lead, taking set three 25-17.
Cincinnati came out strong, opening with kills from Nolan and Sigman to earn early momentum (5-2). The Bearcats set a 7–2 advantage thanks to a blistering block from Elliott Mickelberry and Sigman. Ball State chipped away, pulling within 16–15 after a service ace run, but Cincinnati regrouped with swings from Glendinning. The Cardinals tied it late at 22–22. With the score tied at 24, the Bearcats staved off set point and answered with kills from Nolan and Glendinning. Glendinning’s finish sealed the set, 29–27, forcing a fifth frame.
In the fifth and final frame, Cincinnati took a quick 5-3 lead. BSU inched within two, forcing a UC timeout. Despite Ball State’s short comeback, Cincinnati remained in command, claiming the final set, 15-10, and ultimately winning the match, 3-2.
The Bearcats have won six of their last seven matches as they head into their final non-conference match of the season.