TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati volleyball team hits the road to face West Virginia inside the WVU Coliseum on Wednesday. First serve is set for 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
The Bearcats (9-5,1-3) enter the matchup ranked among the nation’s leaders in key statistical categories. Cincinnati ranks 13th nationally and first in the Big 12 in hitting percentage (.290), while sitting 28th nationally and third in the conference in blocks per set (2.64), showcasing both offensive efficiency and defensive strength at the net.
// MILESTONES REACHED AND APPROACHING
Head coach Danijela Tomić earned her 400th career victory with a 3-1 win over Illinois State on Sept. 13, joining an elite group of 47 active Division I coaches with 400 or more wins.
Senior outside hitter Carly Glendinning surpassed 1,000 career kills with a season-high 19 against No. 19 BYU and recently eclipsed 150 career blocks versus Kansas State on Oct. 4. Junior outside hitter Sydney Nolan is closing in on 700 career kills, entering Wednesday’s match with 668.
// SERIES HISTORY
Cincinnati holds a 16-3 advantage in the all-time series against West Virginia, winning each of the last four meetings. The teams last met on Sept. 27 at Fifth Third Arena, where the Bearcats claimed their first Big 12 Conference win of the season in four sets.
In that match, sophomore setter Andi Spies directed the offense with a season-high 52 assists. Nolan (19 kills, .400) and Glendinning (18 kills, .412) combined for 37 kills, while Glendinning added 13 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. At the net, redshirt freshman Brooke Crummel posted five blocks and freshman Elliott Mickelberry added four.
// LAST TIME OUT
Cincinnati dropped a five-set battle to Kansas State on Friday inside Fifth Third Arena. Despite a strong defensive effort, the Bearcats finished with 14 blocks— their second-highest total of the season. Cincinnati hit .215 in the match, while the Wildcats registered 79 kills on a .255 clip.
Nolan paced the Bearcats with 22 kills, marking her fifth 20-kill performance of the year. Sophomore Gretchen Sigman added 13 kills and a career-high six blocks. Sophomore setter Andi Spies recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 46 assists and 11 digs, while Glendinning contributed a season-best 14 digs and two blocks.
// NOLAN SPEARHEADING THE ATTACK
Nolan continues to power Cincinnati’s offense, ranking 12th nationally in kills per set (4.65), 18th in attacks per set (11.67), 19th in total kills (251) and points per set (5.10). She leads the Big 12 in attacks per set, total kills and total points (275.5).
Against No. 19 BYU, Nolan delivered one of her most efficient outings of the season, recording 25 kills on 52 swings without an error for a .481 hitting percentage. She owns a team-best .316 attack percentage and earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 9 after totaling 52 kills at the Chattanooga Classic.
// SPIES DISHING OUT DIMES
Spies, a transfer from Middle Tennessee, has been instrumental in Cincinnati’s offensive rhythm. She has tallied 40 or more assists in six matches this season, including a season-best 52 against West Virginia.
Spies ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 9.76 assists per set and has recorded four double-doubles this fall. Her career-high 55 assists came while at Middle Tennessee against Louisiana Tech on Oct. 24, 2024.
// BEARCATS AMONG BIG 12 LEADERS
Cincinnati claimed its first Big 12 win of the season against West Virginia on Sept. 27, hitting .374 with 61 kills and 53 digs as a team. The Bearcats currently lead the conference in opponent blocks (54.0), rank second in hitting percentage (.298) and third in blocks (2.63).
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