Volleyball Drops Conference Opener to UCF – University of Cincinnati Athletics

CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati volleyball team fell to UCF in straight sets on Wednesday evening inside The Venue at UCF.

The Bearcats move to 8-3 overall and 0-1 in the Big 12.

Senior Carly Glendinning led the offense with eight kills. Junior Sydney Nolan surpassed 600 career kills as she finished with four.

Freshman Elliott Mickelberry notched eight total blocks in her first colligate start. Setter Andi Spies notched 12 assists, alongside Caroline Endres who chipped in six.

UCF went on an early 5-2 run to lead 10-5 in the first set. A 5-1 run by the Knights pushed the lead to seven, 23-16. The Bearcats couldn’t close the gap, as UCF sealed the opening set with a four-point run, 25-16.

The second set saw a back-and-forth battle early on. Crummel delivered two service aces alongside a Nolan and Mickelberry block to take a 4-2 lead. UCF went on a 4-0 run to force a Cincinnati timeout (12-8). The Bearcats were able to bring it within one thanks to back-to-back kills from Mickelberry and Paige Pickering. A fiery block from Mickelberry and Gretchen Sigman stopped a long rally to keep the Bearcats within one, but the Knights were able to hold on and take the second frame, 25-22.

Both teams traded points throughout the first half of the third set before UCF was able to pull away at 17-13. Cincinnati battled hard, using big blocks from Sigman and Mickelberry to stay within reach (23-19). The Bearcats closed the gap late, but UCF held on to take it 25–20.

Cincinnati returns to Fifth Third Arena on Saturday afternoon to take on West Virginia at 1 p.m.