Cincinnati vs. No. 6 Pitt Box Score

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – In perhaps the biggest win in program history, Cincinnati pulled off the most stunning upset thus far in the 2019 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship on Saturday night in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In the face of a two sets to one deficit, the Bearcats claimed the final two frames to shock No. 6 Pittsburgh 24-26, 25-21, 16-25, 25-21, 15-13 in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
 
The win vaults Cincinnati (27-6) into the third round of NCAA Championship play for the first time in program history. In fact, the Bearcats are the first team representing the American Athletic Conference since the league formed in 2013 to reach the final 16 in the NCAA’s volleyball tournament. Cincinnati advances to take on No. 11 seed Penn State, who defeated Towson 3-1 earlier in the day on Saturday.
 
Avenging an earlier sweep at the hands of Pittsburgh (30-2) during the regular season, Cincinnati clawed back into the contest with a huge win in the fourth set to tie the match at two apiece. Despite the Panthers racing out to a 4-0 lead in the deciding fifth set, the Bearcats ultimately forged ahead and took a brief 5-4 advantage. The Pittsburgh lead re-grew as high as three at 12-9 before a four-point Cincinnati run vaulted the Bearcats ahead of the hosts 13-12. A Pittsburgh attack error and Cincinnati kill broke a 13-all tie to complete the stunning comeback for the Bearcats.
 
Unanimous American Athletic Conference Player of the Year Jordan Thompson led all players with 27 kills in the match, adding six digs and a pair of blocks for Cincinnati. Adria Oliver hit at an impressive .462 clip to go along with her 14 digs, and Maria Mallon finished with 19 kills, including the game-winner in the fifth set, and chipped in nine digs and three service aces for the Bearcats.
 
American Athletic Conference Teams in the 2019 NCAA Volleyball Championship
 
Thursday, Dec. 5, 4:30 p.m. (ET)
UCF 3, Florida State 2 (25-19, 20-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-8) – Gainesville, Florida
 
Friday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m. (ET)
Cincinnati 3, VCU 1 (20-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-23) – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 
Friday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. (ET)
No. 10 Florida 3, UCF 0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-17) – Gainesville, Florida
 
Saturday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m. (ET)
Cincinnati 3, No. 6 Pittsburgh 2 (24-26, 25-21, 16-25, 25-21, 15-13) – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania