University of Connecticut Athletics
Dig Pink, ESPNU Matches On Tap For UConn Volleyball
10/24/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 24, 2013
Match Notes (PDF)
STORRS, Conn. -- Winners of its last two home contests, the UConn women's volleyball team (10-12, 1-6 American) returns to the friendly confines of Gampel Pavilion this weekend for a pair of big-time American Athletic Conference matches. Connecticut welcomes Cincinnati (0-21, 0-7 American) to Storrs on Friday night at 7 p.m. for its "Dig Pink" match for breast cancer awareness, then hosts Louisville (12-7, 7-0 American) on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. in a nationally televised match on ESPNU.
The Huskies are looking to turn around their fortunes in all-time series with the Bearcats and Cardinals. Connecticut is 1-9 all-time versus Cincinnati, and 0-9 against Louisville.
With Madeline Kuppe's 16 kill performance against Memphis in UConn's last game, the Huskies have been led in kills by six different players this season. Along with Kuppe, Devon Maugle, Karson Ratliff, Erika Thomas, Jade Strawberry and Immanuella Anagu have all led the charge for the Huskies at different points this season.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
CINCINNATI
The Bearcats visit Storrs still in search of their first win, sitting at 0-21 on the season, including an 0-7 mark in conference play. Ciara Hill leads the Bearcats on offense with 159 kills, good for a team-high 2.69 k/s. She is supported by Morgan Allred's 114 and 1.9/s, and Me'Ashah Nicholson and her 131 kills for 1.85/s. Nicholson is one of three Bearcats to play in all 21 matches this season. Defensively, UC is led by Shelby Green and Jamie Netisingha, who average 3.18 and 2.36 digs/set, respectively. Breanna Barksdale leads the Cincy blockers with 63 total blocks and 0.98/set, while Nicholson chips in 0.92 blocks/set with 65 total swats.
LOUISVILLE
After going just 4-6 in its first ten games as part of a highly challening early season non-conference slate, Louisville has won eight of nine overall since, including a perfect 7-0 start to American Athletic Conference play. The Cardinals were the preseason favorite in The American after going 30-4 last year en route to a top-20 ranking and NCAA tournament appearance. This year's iteration is led by Maya McClendon, who leads the squad with 205 kills, good for 3.06/set. Emily Juhl adds 2.65/s, while Brooke Mattingly and Randi Ewing are among the most efficient attackers in the league. Mattingly averages 2.52 k/s hitting at a .354 clip, while Ewing is second in the conference with a .381 attack percentage on her 124 kills. Caitlin Welch is third in the conference with 4.75 digs/set, and Katie George paces the offense with 9.16 assists per frame. As a team, UofL ranks first in The American with 13.54 kills/set, and is second in the league in hitting percentage at .236 and assists at 12.60/set.
A LOOK AHEAD
After this weekend's home contests, UConn is back on the road for American contests at Houston and SMU. The Huskies and Cougars will square off on Friday, Nov. 1, before they battle the Mustangs on Sunday, Nov. 3. UConn will look to bounce back after being swept by the two Texas squads earlier this season in Storrs.
