The Bearcats Volleyball team is now off to a hot start after starting 1-3 to kick off the season, the Bearcats have won four consecutive matches including wins over Notre Dame, Bowling Green, Xavier and Miami(OH). A tough nonconference schedule to kick off the season was a great test for the Bearcats after playing the reigning NCAA champions in Kentucky, the Bearcats knew what was at sake early on.
The Bearcats head coach Molly Alvey enters her 10th season with the Bearcats ahead of the 2021 season. The Bearcats came off big wins this past week versus in state rivals Xavier and Miami(OH) to keep the ball rolling as they head into conference play this week.
This past Thursday was the first time fans have been back in Fifth Third Arena for a volleyball game since 2019, the Bearcats historic season where they reached the Sweet 16 behind now Olympic gold medalist Jordan Thompson.
“I thought the atmosphere in here was just electrifying. We always talk about volleyball being an event, you know you could feel that, just hear that from when the players ran out of the tunnel to the court. It was loud, energetic, it was really fun to be back in front of our fans”
The Bearcats have had a lot of production from senior outside Maria Mallon and Shannon Williams on the opposite side, early on this season as Mallon earned AAC Defensive Player of the Week after her stellar performance at the Notre Dame tournament, Mallon also earned AAC Offensive Player of the Week honors after recording 34 kills for the Bearcats this past week. Williams had a career night against crosstown rival Xavier as she recorded a career high 19 kills, a team high tied with Mallon.
Coach Alvey had a lot of positive things to say about the senior opposite hitter after her tremendous start to the 2021 season. Williams has stepped into a big role for the Bearcats and has been a big weapon on offense as her connection with setters Emme Madden And Armania Heckenmueller continues to improve more each and every day.
“What Shannon is doing for us right now, she’s just so consistent in system and out of system. She is really taking some great swings.”
The Bearcats now on a four game win streak ahead of a big week when the kick off conference play when they travel to Florida to take on USF this Thursday followed by a matchup with the reigning AAC champions in UCF this Saturday.
