TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati volleyball team returns home to host UCF on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. ET inside Fifth Third Arena before hitting the road on Friday, Nov. 14, for a 4:30 p.m. ET matchup against Texas Tech at United Supermarkets Arena.
Both matches will stream live on ESPN+.
The Bearcats look to bounce back after being swept on the road by No. 13 Kansas on Nov. 8 in Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena. Despite the setback, Cincinnati has continued to post solid numbers this season, ranking 43rd nationally in blocks per set (2.51, fifth in the Big 12) and 48th in hitting percentage (.253, fifth in the Big 12). The Bearcats’ balance of defensive presence at the net and offensive efficiency has fueled their success, as they currently hold the No. 53 spot in the RPI rankings.
// MILESTONES REACHED AND UPCOMING
Head coach Danijela Tomić reached a major career milestone on Sept. 13, earning her 400th career victory in a 3-1 win over Illinois State. She joins an elite group of just 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 on Oct. 1 and later eclipsed 150 career blocks versus Kansas State on Oct. 4.
Junior outside hitter Sydney Nolan reached 700 career kills after a 17-kill performance against No. 11 TCU on Oct. 15. Graduate student McKenzie Johnson is nearing another major milestone, sitting at 1,460 career digs, just 40 shy of 1,500.
// SERIES HISTORY
UCF leads the all-time series with Cincinnati, 19–10. The teams first met in 1978, with the Knights claiming a 2-0 win. In their most recent matchup on Sept. 24, UCF earned a 3-0 victory inside The Venue, leading in kills (48–23), assists (43–20), and digs (45–31) while outhitting Cincinnati, .343 to .141.
The all-time series between Cincinnati and Texas Tech sits even at 1–1. The Red Raiders edged the Bearcats, 3-2, in their last meeting on Oct. 24, 2024, inside Fifth Third Arena. Despite the loss, Cincinnati held advantages in kills (68–48), assists (64–46), aces (10–7), and digs (80–70).
// NOLAN SPEARHEADING THE ATTACK
Junior outside hitter Sydney Nolan continues to rank among the nation’s top offensive performers. She sits 21st nationally in kills per set (4.49), 26th in attacks per set (11.56), and 30th in points per set (4.88).
Within the Big 12, Nolan ranks fourth in both kills and attacks per set and sixth in points per set. She has tallied 20 or more kills in seven matches this season and leads the Bearcats with a .300 hitting percentage. Nolan earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 9 after totaling 52 kills across three matches at the Chattanooga Classic.
// SPIES SETTING THE PACE
Sophomore setter Andi Spies has been instrumental in directing the Bearcats’ attack. The transfer has recorded 40 or more assists in seven matches this season, including a season-high 52 against West Virginia on Sept. 27. She currently ranks seventh in the Big 12 in assists per set (9.50) and has posted seven double-doubles this season. Her career high of 55 assists came at Middle Tennessee against Louisiana Tech on Oct. 24, 2024.
// BROOMS OUT IN FIFTH THIRD
Cincinnati delivered a dominant performance in its last home outing, sweeping Houston on Nov. 1 inside Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats posted eight service aces, seven blocks, and limited the Cougars to a .149 hitting percentage.
Glendinning led the offense with 12 kills and tied her career high with four aces, while freshman Tatijana Simeunović (.667) added six kills and five blocks. Spies recorded 26 assists and five kills, and Glendinning notched a double-double with 12 kills and 15 digs. Sophomore Lilly Gillespie led the back row with 14 digs.
Cincinnati took the opening set, 25–22, after Houston cut the lead to 18–17, then rallied from a 14–11 deficit to win the second, 25–22, before closing out the sweep, 25–17, behind three consecutive Glendinning aces.
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