TicketsVALPARAISO, Ind. — The University of Cincinnati volleyball team notched a clean 3-0 sweep over Valparaiso to open the Popcorn Classic on Friday night inside the Athletics-Recreation Center.
Sophomore Izzy Busignani did it all, posting career highs in kills (13), digs (8) and blocks (2) to lead the way for Cincinnati. Nina Scrucca added nine kills on a .538 hitting percentage, while Sydney Nolan chipped in eight kills and two service aces.
Kate Lijic ran the offense, recording 42 assists.
The Bearcats outhit the Beacons, finishing with 48 kills on a .295 percentage while holding Valparaiso to .159. Cincinnati also led in service aces, 6-4, and digs, 45-35.
Cincinnati started fast in the first set and never trailed. The Bearcats used a 6-0 run early to build an 8-1 lead, highlighted by a Scrucca ace. Valparaiso fought back, cutting the deficit to 12-9 on a Jordyn Gove kill. But another 6-0 Cincinnati run, sparked by a Nolan kill, pushed the lead to 20-10. The Beacons didn't go away, but the Bearcats closed out the set 25-21.
Cincinnati didn't trail in the second set either, riding a 10-1 run — fueled by three Busignani kills — to a 14-4 lead. The Bearcats cruised from there, and back-to-back kills from Lilian Entenmann closed out the set 25-13.
The third set was tightly contested. A Tatjana Simeunovic service ace gave Cincinnati a 7-4 edge. A Bearcats attack error let Valparaiso trim the margin to 12-11. A kill from Sarah Pippin tied the score at 16-16. Four straight kills from Andrea Simovski put Cincinnati ahead 21-17, but Valparaiso rallied to tie it at 22-22. A Scrucca kill, followed by a Valparaiso attack error, sealed the match at 26-24.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati will stay in Valparaiso, Ind., as it has two matches remaining in the Popcorn Classic. Michigan is next, with the Bearcats facing the Wolverines on Saturday at 2 p.m., before closing out the weekend against Oakland on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both matches will also be played inside the Athletics-Recreation Center.
// GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY
Single-match tickets are $15 for courtside seating, based on availability, and $10 for general admission. Group general admission tickets are available for $5. Family 4-Packs are also available for all weekend matches (Friday through Sunday), which include four tickets and a $20 concession voucher.
Season tickets for the 2026 season are on sale, with general admission packages starting at $75 and new courtside seating options priced at $125.
To secure your spots for the upcoming season, click HERE to purchase your tickets online, or contact the Bearcats Ticket Office at 513-556-2287 today.