Set 3- The Golden Hurricane jumped out to a 4-0 lead following three straight attacking errors by the Bearcats to start the set and the Bearcats were forced to call a timeout early to stop the Hurricane early run. The Golden Hurricane would keep their foot on the gas as they jumped out to an 8 point lead to start the match before Tatum got the Bearcats on the board. The Golden Hurricane would keep their foot on the gas as the Bearcats just couldn’t get anything going offensively in set three, as they trailed Tulsa 14-4. The Bearcats would rally back and erase the early deficit as they trailed 23-16 following a kill from Glendinning that forced the Golden Hurricane to call timeout, as the Bearcats were looking to make a late comeback. However the Golden Hurricane would hang on to win 25-16 behind an 8-0 lead to start the match.
Set 4- The Bearcats took a 3-0 lead behind consecutive service aces from Kerstin Ficker and just like that the Bearcats were looking to build momentum and take an early lead over the Golden Hurricane. The Golden Hurricane would tie this match up at six behind a huge block Arianna Mongave as they were looking to battle back, However the Bearcats had different plans following consecutive kills from Glendinning and Carrier the Bearcats would take an 8-6 lead. A back-and-forth battle as we were tied up at 12 following a Golden Hurricane error but the Bearcats would quickly take a 15-13 lead following a Glendinning kill. The Bearcats would take a 19-15 lead before the Hurricane responded with a three-point momentum changer forcing the Bearcats to call timeout, which played in their favor as they would take a quick 21-18 lead. The Bearcats would close the door after a late comeback attempt from Tulsa and would take the set 25-20 to win the match three sets to 1.
“It was an awesome performance, you look at everyone who stepped in today, Payton had an awesome match. Kerstin Ficker came in ripping serves, Madison Waters stepped in to give Avry a break and took some great out of system swings. That is part of the culture that has kept us together,” said Coach Alvey.
The Bearcats were led by Carly Glendinning who finished with a team high 16 kills and 18 digs, as she has continued to be a dominant force for the Bearcats as she now makes it nine straight matches with 10 or more kills.
“Carly is one of those athletes that is 100% committed. We have some great athletes and competitors, but she is in everyday doing extra work, there is not a day that she skips, she is always watching film, she studies the game, studies herself, the team, and I believe it paid off,” said Coach Alvey following the teams 3-1 victory over Tulsa.
Carly Glendinning and Avry Tatum continue to make strong cases for Freshman of the Year as the two combined for 29 kills, and 20 digs. Glendinning finished with (16 kills, 18 digs), while Tatum finished with 13 kills. Tatum has now recorded 10 or more kills in the last six matches including a career high 22 vs Temple two weeks ago.
“I could not agree with you more, those are two very deserving FOTY candidates no question in my mind. One is as good as the other at their skillset, we need to talk about that more as those two have been incredible,” said Coach Alvey.
The Bearcats improve to (5-13) (3-4 AAC) on the season as they split the weekend series after falling to Wichita State on Friday. The Bearcats will be back in action this Friday when they welcome in No. 24 ranked UCF to Fifth Third Arena for another weekend home stand.
