MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University volleyball team (12–1, 0–1 Big 12) suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday afternoon, falling to Cincinnati (9–3, 1–1) in their Big 12 conference opener. The match concluded in four sets with final scores of 21–25, 25–20, 12–25, and 17–25.
The Mountaineers finished the match with 47 kills, six service aces, and five total blocks, hitting .200 as a team. WVU dropped the first set despite recording 15 kills and a .275 hitting percentage but responded strongly in the second set, posting 16 kills, two service aces, and two blocks while hitting .344 to even the match. However, WVU's offensive efficiency declined in the third set, hitting .192 with 10 kills and failing to convert critical opportunities. The fourth set proved decisive as WVU struggled offensively, hitting negative .031 with just six kills, despite contributing two service aces and three blocks.
Junior outside hitter
Nina Horning led the team offensively with 14 kills on 35 attempts (.286), along with three service aces, six digs, and a block assist, totaling a team-high 17.5 points. Redshirt junior opposite
Trinity Sheridan added 10 kills on 25 attempts (.400) and one block assist for 10.5 points. Redshirt senior outside hitter
Cassidy Tanton contributed nine kills, one ace, and seven digs, while junior middle blocker
Maddy McGath was efficient with six kills on 11 attempts (.364) and one solo block. Senior middle blocker
Laila Ibrahim anchored the front row with five kills and a team-high four blocks.
Freshman right side
Anna Barr provided valuable bench depth with three kills and two digs. Senior libero
LonDynn Betts anchored the defense with nine digs and one service ace. Setters
Alexis Finnvold and
Sarah Pfiffner combined for 36 assists (22 and 14, respectively) and contributed seven digs and one ace.
The Mountaineers will return home for two matches next week, starting with their Big 12 home opener against Kansas State on Wednesday, October 1, at 6 p.m., followed by a Friday night matchup versus BYU on October 3, also at 6 p.m. Both contests will take place in the Hope Coliseum.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUVolleyball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
