Set 4- The Knights were looking to carry that momentum over from set three, and they started with that same energy as they jumped out to a early 6-1 lead over the Bearcats. The Bearcats were looking to find a way out of a huge hole early if they wanted to finish this match off. The Bearcats had some momentum flowing after a kill from Abby Walker, that she followed with a huge block to cut the Knights lead to 4, as the Bearcats trailed 8-4. The Knights jumped out to an early 11-4 lead before the Bearcats got some momentum, as they went on a 3 point run to cut the Knights lead to 13-9 following a walker kill, and Madden service ace. The knights answered right back as the Bearcats found themselves in an huge hole as they now trailed 18-9, as this match was looking to head to a fifth and final set. The Knights just dominated from start to finish as they took Set 4, 25-13 forcing a final set here at Fifth Third Arena.
Set 5- The Bearcats knew they had to find some momentum as this set is played to 15. The Bearcats got a huge kill from Adria Oliver to even the set early at 2, before the Knights jumped out to a 4-2 lead. The Knights extended that lead to 6-3 following a attacking error from Shannon Williams, and the Bearcats were looking for some momentum right now. The Bearcats got what they were looking for immediately, following a kill from Shannon Williams, and a Madden service ace, the Knights lead was cut to 1, as the Bearcats trailed 7-6. The Knights extended their lead to 10-7 before the Bearcats and coach Alvey called a timeout to find momentum, which was followed by a huge kill from Kaila Carrier. The Bearcats got a huge service ace from Kerstin Ficker to give the Bearcats some momentum, However the Knights weren’t shying away as they lead 14-11 late in this final set, forcing the Bearcats to call their final timeout. The Bearcat fell just short as the Knights held on to win Set 5, 15-11 as they fell 3 sets to 2 to the Knights.
Overall, the Bearcats came out really strong as they dominated the match early as they took the first two sets, as they established and were hitting high off the Knights blocks, and it seemed to be a huge factor early on especially as Emme Madden was sharing the ball around between all the hitters weather it was Maria Mallon, Shannon Williams, Adria Oliver, Abby Walker, the ball was finding the the hot hands. The Bearcats ended set two on a 3-0 run that really gave the Bearcats a lot of momentum, However the Knights flipped the switch and brought all the momentum in their favor, as they just went on to take Set 3, 25-16 after a late 8 point run. The Knights just found their offense after they were faced with an early 2 set deficit, as the Bearcats were looking to make a big statement within the AAC, but the reigning Player of the Year in the American Athletic Conference McKenna Melville started to bring her team together as they knew they had to turn it around or it could get ugly for the Knights. The Bearcats though fought til the end, as this was a hard fought battle, point for point, for most of the match, and you could sense the energy within Fifth Third Arena as the fans were very loud, and energetic.
Senior outside hitter Maria Mallon, actually told me earlier this week what she wanted to expect with fans, knowing what is taking place on campus this weekend ahead of tonights match.
“It would be incredible, I mean I know it is a Friday night, and a lot to ask. You know College GameDay is huge, and one of the biggest things to happen to this University, but there’s nothing on Friday, and I think everyone needs to come to this game. You know this team especially, we really feed off the energy of our home court, our fans that cheer us on, and when we play in a full arena, it’s honestly a completely different team out there, we play loose, free, determined, we want to win. It’s just completely different, and you know I think if we did have that packed Fifth Third Arena, which we should, we need too against a dynamic team like UCF. I think it will take us to another level.”
I can honestly say, that the fans provided so much energy for this Bearcats team and you could feel it early in the first two sets, then when the Knights rallied back after the match moved forward they consistently brought the energy for the Bearcats and it really was a great atmosphere to see ahead of what is ahead for the Bearcat community.
The Bearcats will be back in action this Sunday at 1 pm when they take on USF, as they will look to bounce back in the win column. So if you are free, make sure to come check out this volleyball program.
