Women's Volleyball

Two teams lead The American heading into weekend action


Complete Notes | Stats

After three weeks of conference play in The American, UCF and Cincinnati remain undefeated with 5-0 marks heading into the upcoming weekend. Eight of the 12 conference programs hold overall winning records, as The American’s teams have combined for a .642 winning percentage against other conferences. Three programs were featured in the top 50 of the NCAA’s latest RPI report. UCF led with way for a second-straight week at No. 14, while Wichita State came in at No. 37 and Cincinnati moved up to No. 42.



UCF has won 11-straight matches and holds an 8-0 mark at the Venue this year. The Knights are coming off two big wins, handing Tulsa its first conference loss of the year before knocking off 2017 American champion Wichita State in a hard-fought four-set victory. UCF was powered by double-doubles from setter Erin Olson and outside hitter McKenna Melville. Head coach Todd Dagenais is one win away from reaching the 200-win milestone, as UCF prepares to play host to Temple and UConn. The Knights lead the conference and rank in the nation’s top 20 in assists (13.24) and kills (14.02) per set. The Knights will be defending their perfect home slate when they welcome the Owls and Huskies to the gym.

Cincinnati will gear up for a competitive slate over the weekend, which includes clashes with Tulsa, who is tied for third place in The American and Wichita State, which won the league with a 20-0 conference record last year. Sunday’s match between the Bearcats and Shockers will be broadcasted live on the American Digital Network. Cincinnati is led by outside hitter Jordan Thompson, who has ranked No. 1 in the nation in kills (431) and points (475) for six-straight weeks. Thompson became the conference's all-time leader in kills (1,470) and points (1,616) last weekend when she recorded 30 kills against Temple and UConn. She currently ranks No. 1 all-time in conference history with her career 4.80 kills and 5.28 points per set. The Bearcats are coming off road wins over Temple and UConn and have lost only one of 16 sets played in conference matches this year.

The Shockers have one of the country’s most talented liberos in sophomore Giorgia Civita, a native of Milan, Italy. She ranks No. 3 in the nation with 6.02 digs per set. Wichita State had a competitive nonconference slate, facing nine opponents who earned a 2017 postseason bid. The Shockers have only played at the Charles Koch Arena twice this season prior to hosting ECU on Friday and Cincinnati on Sunday. Wichita State is coming off a weekend split, including a road win over USF and a 3-1 setback at UCF.

ECU will look to extend its five-match winning streak after enjoying its second-straight weekend sweep. Following seven-consecutive three-set matches, each of the Pirates’ past five wins have come in four frames. Middle blocker Toya Osuegbu picked up this week’s conference Offensive Player of the Week honor after hitting .417 through a consistent performance at the net.

In addition to traveling to Wichita, ECU will also battle another third-place team when the Pirates take on Tulsa inside the Reynolds Center. The Golden Hurricane remain undefeated at home this season with a 7-0 record.

SMU and Tulane each defeated their respective travel partners in their only matches last weekend and will look to carry the momentum into this week’s action. The Mustangs swept Houston and were led by Lexi Nordmann, who recorded eight kills on 10 swings without an error for a .800 hitting percentage. Tulane defeated Memphis in four sets to capture its first conference match of the season. Dayna Kern hit .435 with 12 kills to guide the Green Wave to victory. SMU and Tulane will square off in New Orleans on Friday. The Mustangs will then head to Memphis, while the Green Wave welcomes Houston to the Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse on Sunday. Tulane is 7-2 at home this year and leads the conference in blocks (181.5), assists (936), kills (984) and opponent hitting percentage (.152).

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Friday, October 12
away_logo Temple home_logo UCF Conference Game 7 p.m. Orlando, Fla. Live Stats  Live Video  
away_logo UConn home_logo USF Conference Game 7 p.m. Tampa, Fla. Live Stats  Live Video  
away_logo SMU home_logo Tulane Conference Game 8 p.m. New Orleans, La. Live Stats  Live Video  
away_logo Houston home_logo Memphis Conference Game 8 p.m. Memphis, Tenn. Live Stats  Live Video  
away_logo Cincinnati home_logo Tulsa Conference Game 8 p.m. Tulsa, Okla. Live Stats  Live Video  
away_logo ECU home_logo Wichita State Conference Game 8 p.m. Wichita, Kan. Live Video   TV:Cox Yurview

Sunday, October 14
away_logo Temple home_logo USF Conference Game Noon Tampa, Fla. Live Stats  
away_logo UConn home_logo UCF Conference Game 1 p.m. Orlando, Fla. Live Stats  Live Video  
away_logo ECU home_logo Tulsa Conference Game 2 p.m. Tulsa, Okla. Live Stats  Live Video  
away_logo Houston home_logo Tulane Conference Game 2 p.m. New Orleans, La. Live Stats  Live Video  
away_logo SMU home_logo Memphis Conference Game 2 p.m. Memphis, Tenn. Live Stats  Live Video  
away_logo Cincinnati home_logo Wichita State Conference Game 2:05 p.m. Wichita, Kan.  Live Stats  Live Video  TV:American Digital Network

All times Eastern and subject to change