Box Score | NCAA Bracket
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Cincinnati outside and right side hitter Jordan Thompson led the team with 16 kills, but the Bearcats’ volleyball postseason run came to an end in the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 3-0 loss to No. 14 seed Marquette. The set scores were 19-25, 21-25 and 16-25. It marked Cincinnati’s 11th trip to the national tournament, as the Bearcats became the third American team in as many years to advance to the second round. Thompson, the nation’s leader in kills and points, ends another outstanding season, setting 11 American Athletic Conference records and earning her second-career unanimous Player of the Year accolade among numerous other accomplishments in 2018.
Outside hitter Erica Kostelac chipped in with eight kills for the Bearcats, while senior setter Tingelhoff recorded her 12th double-double of the season with 27 assists and 11 digs. Marquette hit .260 and led 11-6 in blocks while holding Cincinnati to a .110 hitting clip. Allie Barber recorded a match-high 18 kills on a .400 hitting percentage to lead the Golden Eagles. Marquette advances to the NCAA Sweet 16 to take on Illinois.
The straight-sets loss was Cincinnati’s second of the season, as the team finished with a 13-2 mark in three-set matches. In addition to Thompson’s array of records, the Bearcats set the conference’s single-season records in kills (1,860) and assists (1,750). Senior outside hitter Carly Nolan ended the year with The American’s all-time career record in service aces (114), while Tingelhoff, The American’s Setter of the Year, concluded her career as the league’s all-time leader in assists with 4,180.
Tulane remains the only American team competing in postseason action, as the Green Wave will face Valparaiso in New Orleans on Thursday, December 6 at 7 p.m. ET in the third round of the NIVC.
WEEKLY RESULTS
Thursday, November 29
Wichita State 3, Central Arkansas 2 | NIVC
Florida Gulf Coast 3, No. 21 UCF 2 | NCAA Tournament
North Texas 3, Tulsa 1 | NIVC
Georgia Tech 3, USF 2 | NIVC
Tulane 3, Arkansas State 2 | NIVC
Friday, November 30
Cincinnati 3, Illinois State 0 | NCAA Tournament First Round
North Texas 3, Wichita State 1 | NIVC Second Round
Tulane 3, Cal Baptist 1 | NIVC Second Round
Saturday, December 1
No. 14 seed Marquette 3, Cincinnati 0 – NCAA Tournament Second Round