Set 3- The Bearcats and Tulsa went point for point for the first 6 points of the match before the Bearcats opened things up behind back to back kills from Mallon, followed by a service ace and the Bearcats found themselves with an early 7-4 lead. The Bearcats then went on a 3 point run to open the lead to 10-5 following kills from Abby Walker and consecutive kills from Kailea Carrier. The Bearcats extended their lead to 15-8 after consecutive attacking’s errors from the Golden Hurricane, and a big kill from Kaila Carrier. The Bearcats never looked back after an early lead as they continued to put balls away, as they escaped to a 19-10 lead after kills by Walker, and consecutive kills by Maria Tobergte. The Bearcats went on a 4 point run to break open a big 24-12 lead in set three before the Bearcats finished out Set 3 with a big 25-13 win, to take a 2 set to 1 lead over Tulsa.
Set 4- The Bearcats kept their foot on the gas as they were looking to make it 5 straight matches in AAC play. The Battle continued to go neck and neck as they were tied 6-6 before Tulsa jumped out to a 4 point run and took a quick 10-6 lead. The Bearcats on the other hand crawled right back as they came back 10-8 before Tulsa got a kill to silence the Bearcats momentum. However, The Bearcats didn’t let that happen, as they went on a 3 point swing to tie the match at 11, following three straight kills by Maria Mallon. Tulsa stopped the senior outsides big run, but she followed right back with a kill, and two back to back kills from Abby Walker to give the Bearcats a 14-13 lead over the Golden Hurricanes. The Bearcats were looking to close it out, as Tulsa cut the lead to 2 as the Bearcats lead 18-16, before going on a 4 point run that started with a kill by Kailea Carrier, a Tulsa error, a big kill from Shannon Williams, and another kill from Carrier and the Bearcats were moments away from making it 5 matches in a row. The Bearcats held on to win set 4, 25-19 to secure their 5th straight victory.
Overall, the Bearcats dominated the Golden Hurricane, after the exchange point for point early in each set, it came down to who went on their runs at the right time, and that’s exactly what the Bearcats did. The Bearcats had three players in double digit kills which shows how versatile the Bearcats are at the net. Maria Mallon led the match with 20 kills, she also recorded 19 digs and two blocks, tallying 22.5 points for the Bearcats. Abby Walker had 18 kills, setting a new career high, she also had two blocks, tallying 19 points. Kailea Carrier also continued to have a dominant game as she had 13 kills and three blocks. Emme Madden recorded 62 assists, 13 digs, one service ace, one block and an big day for the freshman setter. Payton Frederick also had 18 digs for the Bearcats, as she helped lead the Bearcats to their 5th straight victory.
The Bearcats have now won 5 straight matches, as well as 10 of their last 11, a statement of how special this Bearcats volleyball team is. The Bearcats are now tied for first in the AAC with UCF. The Bearcats will be looking to continue their hot streak as they have a quick turn around as they take on Wichita State this Sunday at 2 pm.
