The West Virginia University volleyball team (12-1, 0-1) dropped their Big 12 Opener against Cincinnati for their first loss of the season. Read more WVU Volleyball Drops First Conference Match to Lose Win Streak.
Big 12 Opener
The Mountaineers took on the Bearcats at the Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio, on September 27th. The Mountaineers battled with the Bearcats for four sets, finding success in the second set, but ultimately falling in the third and fourth sets. With scores of 21-25, 25-20, 12-25, and 17-25, Cincinnati was able to come away with the win.
The Mountaineers totaled 47 kills, six service aces, and five total blocks to hit for .200 as a team. The first set was contentious, as the Mountaineers recorded 15 kills and a .275 hitting percentage, sadly still falling to the Bearcats. The Mountaineers found success in the second set posting 16 kills, two service aces, and two blocks to hit .344. Offensively, WVU struggled in the third and fourth set, dropping their hitting percentages to .192 and negative .031 with just 10 and six kills, respectively.
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Mountaineer Performances
Nina Horning, a junior outside hitter, led the team on offense with 14 kills (.286), three service aces, six digs, and a block assist to total 17.5 points. Trinity Sheridan, a redshirt junior opposite, added 10 kills (.400) and one block assist totaling 10.5 points. Cassidy Tanton, a redshirt senior outside hitter, found success all over the board with nine kills, one ace and seven digs. Junior middle blocker Maddy McGath achieved six kills (.364) and one solo block. Laila Ibrahim, also a middle blocker, held down the front row with five kills and four blocks.
Anna Barr, a freshman, came off the bench ready to perform, to find three kills and two digs. Senior libero LonDynn Betts held down the defense with nine digs and one service ace, while setters Alexis Finnvold and Sarah Pfiffner had a combined 36 assists, seven digs, and one ace.
A Look at Cincinnati
So far this season, the Cincinnati Bearcats are 9-3 overall, and 1-1 in the Big 12. In the competition against WVU, the Bearcats recorded 61 kills and 53 digs, hitting .374. Setter Andi Spies led the offense with 52 assists, while Sydney Nolan and Carly Glendinning combined for 37 kills, hitting in the .400 range.
What’s Next for the Mountaineers?
The Mountaineers will return home for their next two matches, Kansas State and BYU. Kansas State will be the Mountaineers Big 12 home opener on Wednesday, October 1st at 6 p.m., followed by a Friday contest with BYU on October 3rd, also at 6 p.m. Both matchups will take place in the Mountaineers’ Hope Coliseum.
A Look at Kansas State and BYU
The Kansas State Wildcats are 7-2 overall, and 0-1 Big 12. The Wildcats dropped their Big 12 home opener to Arizona, with a loss of 3-1. According to Jason Mansfield, K-State Head Coach, the Wildcats need to find a more balanced offense, finding ways to connect new attackers. Shaylee Myers and Aniya Clinton took 97 swings in the match with Arizona, so these will be the players to look for.
BYU is 13-1 overall, and 1-1 in conference. The BYU Cougars were taken down in their Big 12 opener by Colorado. Alexis Bower, setter, achieved 37 assists and 10 digs, while outside hitters Suli Davis and Claire Little Chambers each had double-digit kills.
The Mountaineers will have a challenging week in the Big 12, but both the Wildcats and the Cougars have struggles that WVU can capitalize on.
