This weekend the Bearcats welcomed Pittsburgh back for an exhibition match ahead of the 2021 season. The Bearcats honored former superstar and Olympic gold medalist before the match after her performance for Team USA that propelled them to a their first ever gold medal in the sport of indoor volleyball.
Many fans piled into Fifth Third Arena for the first time in almost a year and a half due to the pandemic and it was truly an amazing sight to see. The former Bearcat superstar took time to greet fans and sign some autographs before the match. Hundreds of people swarmed in to meet the gold medalist ahead of todays match and welcome her back to the Queen City with open arms.
Prior to the exhibition match the volleyball team welcomed Jordan to the floor where she dominated her college career. Jordan was overcome with emotions as they welcomed her onto the court as they showed highlights from her playing days at Cincinnati.
Coach Alvey got to soak it in with her former player and now Olympic gold medalist Jordan Thompson. Today you can see Coach Alvey and the volleyball program gift Jordan with a framed photograph collage of her memories from the Toyko Olympics. Thompson with a smile from ear to ear was greeted by a rocking, vibrant crowd at Fifth Third Arena as they gave her a proper welcome home.
For many people who don’t know already Thompson played for Cincinnati from 2015-2019 where she achieved many prestigious awards during her time at Cincinnati. Thompson as a freshman in 2015 was the 2015 Freshman of the Year within the AAC, unanimous selection to the All-AAC First Team. Ranked 2nd on the all time UC kills record for freshman with 429 kills. In 2016 her sophomore campaign she was named a AVCA All-American Honorable Mention, AVCA all regional selection, Unanimous Player of the Year within the AAC (the first in AAC History), First team All-AAC, she was the quickest player in UC in AAC history to reach the 1000 kill milestone, and the only player to achieve that milestone as a sophomore, and for anyone who knows volleyball knows that’s a crazy feat. Thompson also was named Preseason Player of the Year. Thompson finished 6th in the NCAA where she tallied 4.92 kills per set, 6th with 5.50 points per set, 8th with 580 kills, 9th with 648.5 points. Crazy statistics right here. Thompson didnt play in 2017 as she redshirted but she was named Unanimous Preseason AAC Player of the year, as well as First Team All-AAC.
