Set 2- The Bearcats would take a 2-1 lead following consecutive kills from Avry Tatum, as the freshman from California, was continuing to show why she is a key part of this Bearcats offense as Caroline Endres was starting to spread the ball around on offense and get everyone involved and the RedHawks would then find themselves in a huge hole as the Bearcats would take a 7-2 lead, following a 5 point run that would force the RedHawks to call an early timeout after libero Payton Frederick made an incredible save to keep the rally going resulting in a Bearcats point, and Fifth Third Arena erupted in excitement after that play. The Bearcats would extend that 5-point run, to 9 following the break and take an 11-2 lead over the Redhawks, as the Bearcats were clicking on all cylinders as Caroline Endres was doing a tremendous job facilitating the offense here in Set 2, as the Bearcats would hold on to win Set 2, 25-14 after an early 9-point run sparked the momentum early and the Bearcats didn’t take their foot off the gas as they now held a 2 set to 0 lead over in state rival Miami, as they were looking to bounce back in the win column.
Set 3- The Bearcats would jump out to an early 6-0 lead behind three early RedHawks errors, and consecutive kills from Tatum, Walker, followed by a service ace from Frederick and the RedHawks saw themselves in a huge hole here as the Bearcats were looking to put this one away here at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats would come out of the break and keep their foot on the gas as they would take a 9-0 lead over the RedHawks before an Ally Severance kill got the RedHawks on the board. The RedHawks would try to find some momentum after a 3-0 run forced the Bearcats to call timeout leading 13-4, but the Bearcats early 9 points run to start this set was too much for the Redhawks to overcome, as the Bearcats were just too strong here tonight for the RedHawks, after coming into this one after a five set loss to Xavier last night the RedHawks came out flat to jump and the Bearcats would dominate this one from start to finish where they would hold on to defeat the RedHawks 25-17, to take the match 3 sets to 0.
“That win was really special, you are back on your home court vs a local rival, and a historically good volleyball program, it was special, the crowd tonight was outstanding,” said Bearcats head coach Molly Alvey.
The Bearcats were led by Avry Tatum, who finished with a team high 10 kills on 16 attempts, hitting .562 on the match, as Tatum joined teammate Kailea Carrier at the net, making it very hard for Miami to get anything going offensively as the two set the tone early with their big blocks at the net, as Carrier stands 6-foot-5, while Tatum is 6-foot-1, the Bearcats height at the net made it very hard for the RedHawks to get anything going here at Fifth Third Arena. Tatum a true freshman is making a true impact for the Bearcats to start her Bearcat career, as the California native is showing why she was one of coach Alvey’s top priorities in the class of 2022. Carrier finished her night with six kills, and five blocks, a team high, and has shown that her height and versatility will be a weapon for the Bearcats this season.
“Avry a freshman, started the season on the outside for us, but was on the right side tonight and that is her more natural position. She dominated, I thought she looked fantastic. Kailea, we remember her swing, but she stuffed a lot of balls tonight on the block she was a huge presence at the net,” said coach Alvey.
The Bearcats now (2-7) will be back in action tomorrow night when they travel up the road to the Cintas Center to take on crosstown rival Xavier (6-3) where they have won six of the last seven matches heading into this contest tomorrow night.
“It’s amazing, we’re looking forward to some good volleyball, I think they are looking to take that energy from tonight, 4.6 miles up the road tomorrow vs Xavier,” said coach Alvey following the Bearcats 3-0 victory over Miami.
