Yesterday, the Bearcats kicked off their highly awaited season here at Fifth Third Arena where they would take on Illinois State University, and Dayton University in the Tribute to 10 Tournament, which was played in honor of former player and coach Stephanie Meinig-Rosfeld who played for the Bearcats from 1997-2000. Meinig-Rosfeld had a tremendous career for the Bearcats, where she was named a 2-time All-Conference USA selection, and still to this day holds the C-USA record for blocks with a total of 593, which is prolific in the sport of volleyball. Meinig-Rosfeld also is the ranks at the top of the Bearcats record list in matches played with 502, and 2nd in program history with 593 total blocks, and 518 assisted blocks.
The Bearcats are coming off a season where they went 19-9 overall, (14-6 AAC) where they were led behind then seniors Maria Mallon, Shannon Williams who both graduated this past spring, but also behind Adria Oliver who transferred to Oklahoma this spring, as a grad transfer. However, this season will feature a lot of returning players from a season ago, as the Bearcats return 11 letterwinners from a season ago, highlighted by setter Emme Madden, outside hitters Madison Waters, and Maria Tobergte, along with Middle Blocker and reigning Freshman of The Year Abby Walker, and libero Payton Frederick.
The Bearcats are led by head coach Molly Alvey who enters her 11th season at the realm for the Bearcats, where she is an all-time 164-136 during that 11-year tenure. The Bearcats will feature a lot of new faces this season with the likes of freshman Paige Pickering, Carly Glendinning, Avry Tatum, and Caroline Endres along with transfers Shaye Eggleston and Elissa Alcantara. The Bearcats have some big shoes to fill on the outside pin heading into the season after losing a star player in the likes of Maria Mallon, a 3x All-Conference Team selection, who recorded over 1000 kills, and digs during her career played a huge role for the Bearcats over the last four seasons, which included a trip to the NCAA Tournament where the Bearcats reached the Sweet Sixteen back in 2019.
The Bearcats will kick off the season in the first match of the day versus Illinois State where they will see a familiar face, as former Bearcat assistant Hayden Wagner, who was on Molly Alvey’s staff a season ago is now the assistant coach for the Redbirds. Illinois State is coming off a season where they made the made the NCAA Tournament after winning the MVC Conference Championship behind Kaity Weimerskirch and Sarah Kushner, who were both all MVC selections in 2021, and also nominated to the Preseason All-MVC team heading into the season.
