STATISTICS
Wednesday, November 21, Results:
Highlights
- Each team played its respective travel partner in the 2018 American Athletic Conference league play finale on Wednesday, as home teams went 5-1. Teams in consideration for postseason bids will await the NCAA and NIVC selections on Sunday, November 25. The NCAA Tournament Selection Show will stream live on ESPNU at 8:30 p.m. ET. So far, No. 21 UCF has earned the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, while Tulane, which is also eligible for an at-large NCAA Tournament bid, was one of seven teams to earn an automatic bid to the NIVC. Winning its second conference title in five years, the Knights return to the national tournament for the first time since 2014, while the Green Wave is set to make its first postseason appearance in nine years.
Cincinnati 3, ECU 0
Setter Jade Tingelhoff had 41 assists, becoming The American’s all-time leader with 4,106 career assists, as Cincinnati ended its 2018 conference-play action with a sweep over ECU. Cincinnati finished its regular season with a 25-7 overall record and 15-3 American slate. Tingelhoff’s record was the Bearcats’ ninth conference record set this season, as the team also had nine service aces to tie the league’s single-season record with 184 aces registered this year. Outside hitter Maria Mallon accounted for five aces in the win. Cincinnati has won each of its five matches played at the newly renovated Fifth Third Arena since moving back to the facility in November. Outside and right side hitter Jordan Thompson continues to lead the nation in kills and points and knocked down 21 kills while hitting .515 to fuel the Bearcats’ attack with a .378 clip.
Temple 3, UConn 1
Temple closed-out its 2018 season on a high note, defeating UConn 3-1 en route to winning three of its final three matches. The Owls stifled the Huskies’ attack, using nine blocks and 77 digs to hold UConn to hitting under .200. Each team had four players in double-digit digs and three hitters reach double-figure kills. Kateriana Papazoglou led Temple with a double-double of 12 kills and 10 digs, while freshman Caylee Parker ended her rookie campaign with her 14th double-double: 21 kills and 17 digs.
No. 21 UCF 3, USF 0
No. 21 UCF became the third American Athletic Conference team to go undefeated through conference play (18-0) after completing a perfect American slate with a 3-0 win over USF. The Knights swept the War on I-4 series with the win. UCF extended its winning streak to 24 matches, averaging double-digit blocks per match during its swing. Freshman outside hitter McKenna Melville led the way with 14 kills and 16 digs for her conference-best 21st double-double this season. UCF owns a 27-3 overall record, which is the eighth-best record in the NCAA and is tied for the best record in program history.
Wichita State 3, Tulsa 2
After falling to Tulsa in five sets in September, Wichita State got its vengeance, defeating the Golden Hurricane 3-2 in a Havoc in the Heartland victory. Falling in the first set, the Shockers battled back to clinch the second, third and fifth sets. Down 12-9 in the final frame, Wichita State rallied to earn the last seven of nine points to clinch the five-set win. Emma Wright led the Shockers with 14 kills and hit a career-best .500, while Tabitha Brown recorded a double-double of 13 kills and 12 digs. Giorgia Civita had 40 digs in the win. Wichita State will wrap up its 2018 season with a nonconference match against North Texas on Saturday.
Tulane 3, Memphis 0
Picked to finish 10th in the league in The American’s preseason coaches’ poll, Tulane sealed third place in the conference’s standings with a 25-8 overall record and 13-5 conference mark after sweeping Memphis. It marked Tulane’s 14th sweep of the year and 14th win at home. The Green Wave hit .268 while holding Memphis to a .000 attack percentage. Dayna Kern and Lexie Douglas combined for 24 kills while each hit over .415.
Houston 3, SMU 1
Houston had 13 blocks, powered by Kendall Haywood who knocked down a career-high nine stuffs, as the Cougars concluded their 2018 season with a 3-1 win over SMU. Megan Duncan had a double-double of 11 kills and 15 digs. The Cougars conclude their season with a 17-16 overall record, marking their first winning season since 2015. With the win, Houston head coach Kaddie Platt earned her 200th career conference victory.
RESULTS
Wednesday, November 21 |
 |
ECU |
0 |
 |
Cincinnati |
3 |
 |
Noon |
Cincinnati, Ohio |
|
 |
Temple |
3 |
 |
UConn |
1 |
|
1 p.m. |
Storrs, Conn. |
|
 |
Memphis |
0 |
 |
Tulane |
3 |
|
2 p.m. |
New Orleans, La. |
|
 |
SMU |
1 |
 |
Houston |
3 |
|
2 p.m. |
Houston, Texas |
|
 |
USF |
0 |
 |
UCF |
3 |
|
7 p.m. |
Orlando, Fla. |
|
 |
Tulsa |
2 |
 |
Wichita State |
3 |
|
8 p.m. |
Wichita, Kan. |
All times Eastern and subject to change