Cincinnati Volleyball Controls Destiny in AAC

Cincinnati Bearcats volleyball went to Florida this weekend and pull off two separate victories, beating USF on Friday and UCF on Sunday.

Weekend Florida Sweep

On Friday, USF offered very little resistance as Cincinnati won in 3 straight sets, winning 25-20, 25-19, and 25-14. All-world superstar, Jordan Thompson led the way with 19 kills.

On Saturday, for the second time this season, the Bearcats “upset” UCF, this time in Orlando.

All-world superstar Jordan Thompson had 19 kills, 4 aces, and 1 block. Her 19 kills actually did not lead the team - Maria Mallon did with 21 kills.

Bearcats won the first set 25-22 and UCF won the second 25-23. It seemed like the Knights would have regained momentum, but a combination of them being flat and Cincinnati putting their foot on the gas, led to a dominant third set, which Cincinnati won 25-14. Bearcats were able to close it out 25-21, to beat the Knights in four.

They swept them in three sets in an earlier meeting back in October. Speaking of that matchup...

Why this is significant

Back on October 4th, the Bearcats football team wasn’t the only ones to snap a UCF team’s AAC winning streak. At Fifth Third Arena, the Bearcats volleyball team beat UCF to snap their 26 game AAC winning streak. The Knights won the conference in 2018, so defeating them is no ordinary victory.

Sunday’s win now completes the season sweep over UCF, who fell to 12-2 in AAC play with their only two losses coming to Cincinnati.

AAC title aspirations

Cincinnati finishes the regular season with two more games - at ECU on Friday and home against Tulsa next Sunday. ECU is 6-8 in conference play and Tulsa is 8-6. Winning one of those games will clinch first place in the AAC East for Cincinnati.

Jordan Thompson Keeps Killing It

Entering this weekend, Jordan Thompson led the NCAA in total kills, kills per set, total points, points per set

NCAA Tournament Hopes

Cincinnati has made the NCAA Tournament four times this decade (2010, 2011, 2016, 2018). Last year, they won their first round matchup against Illinois State and lost in round two against Marquette. At 22-5, Cincinnati stands a good chance to claim an at-large bid to the Tournament, but obviously their goal is to win the AAC Tournament and not leave their fate to chance.

The AAC Tournament takes place in Orlando at UCF from November 22-24th.