Yesterday the Bearcats looked to start their season off with a sweep on the road versus Illinois State as Cincinnati won the first match of the series three sets to one on Friday. Coming into today’s match the Bearcats were without Junior outside hitter Maria Mallon, and setter Armania Heckenmueller for the second straight day. Unfortunately the Bearcats fell to the Redbirds in three straight sets in today’s matchup.
The Bearcats started slow in set one of today’s match as the Illinois State serving game seemed to give the Bearcats some trouble early on in set one as the Redbirds went on two separate runs (6-0) (4-0) for a total of 10 points. As many people know in the sport of Volleyball its a game of runs. The Bearcats had to dig themselves out of a early hole which they fought back from, but just fell short of starting a run of their own. The Redbirds were giving the Bearcats some trouble in serve receive as they had four serving aces in the first set. The Bearcats fought back from those early holes, but it just wasn’t enough as they fell in set one, 25-18.
In set two the Bearcats seemed to find momentum as the set two went on, but unfortunately the outside hitters for the Redbirds in Kaitlyn Prondzinski and Kaylee Martin seemed to finds their shots in the Bearcats defense as set two went on. The Bearcats allowed another four service aces in set two. The Bearcats looked to seem to run the middles more in set two weather it was junior Hannah Bolinger, Adria Oliver, Dimitra Tziarli or Kailea Carrier. Throw in different looks to free up the outside hitters in Madison Waters and Marie Tobergte. The Bearcats were looking to build momentum, but found it just a little to late and dropped set two, 25-21.
Set three the Redbirds started slowly and the Bearcats looked to gain momentum, but unfortunately fell just short, the Redbirds just seemed to have an answer for everything and made the adjustments they needed to to put the match away.
The key factor in today’s match was the serving perspective for the Redbirds as they had nine serving aces compared to the Bearcats two as they dominated that aspect of the match. The Redbirds also hit a 100 points higher in hitting percentage than the Bearcats hitting .234% compared to the Bearcats .146%. The Redbirds controlled the net as well as they out blocked the Bearcats 7-3. The Bearcats leaders of today’s match were outside hitter Madison Waters as she led the team with 11 kills and five digs. Outside Maria Tobergte had eight kills, five digs and one serving ace. Senior setter Ashley Kozer finished the match 31 assists, one block and nine digs. Bearcats sophomore defensive specialist Payton Frederick led the Bearcats in digs with 18 which was also a match high.
Overall the Bearcats are in the midst of shaking around players as they came into this series with some players out, leading to a whole different lineup for this road series versus Illinois State. The Bearcats were receiving a lot of attention in the NCAA polls for Top 25 votes in the preseason. The Bearcats have nothing to worry about in the future as they look to kick off conference play with a different lineup with junior setter Armania Heckenmueller as well as junior outside hitter Maria Mallon back in the lineup as both were were Preseason All-AAC selections. The Bearcats had came in playing their first two matches of the season while Illinois State had three matches under their belt before the series with the Bearcats. The Bearcats were predicted to finish 2nd in the East Division of the AAC in the Preseason Polls, but the Bearcats have a talented group of individuals who will be able to show what they’re capable of and prove teams wrong in the AAC when they’re all back in the lineup in the near future.
The Bearcats look to kick off a home and home series with crosstown rivals Xavier next weekend on Friday and Saturday. They will travel to the Cintas Center on Friday, February 5th for a match at 6 pm. Then followed the next day for their home opener on Saturday February 6th at 2 pm.
