Volleyball Defeats Cincinnati in Four Sets With Four Players Recording Double Figures in Kills

Sunday, November 3

McGonigle Hall

1:00 PM

Temple University

16-7, 7-4American

Cincinnati

1-24, 1-10American

Cincinnati

Temple

Caroline Grattan led Temple with 17 kills and 12 digs in a four-set win

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Volleyball Defeats Cincinnati in Four Sets With Four Players Recording Double Figures in Kills

11.3.13 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Four players recorded double figures in kills to lead Temple volleyball (16-7, 7-4) to a 3-1 win against Cincinnati (1-24, 1-10) on Sunday afternoon by scores of 25-20, 23-25, 25-19 and 25-20. Freshman Caroline Grattan led all players with 17 kills to tie her season-high, and made it a double-double with 12 digs.

Gabriella Matautia also notched a double-double with 12 kills to go with 12 digs, while Alyssa Drachslin led the Owls with 17 digs. Jennifer Iacobini was the most efficient hitter of the match with 11 kills and only a single error, while also recording eight digs and three aces. Also recording double figures in kills for Temple was Elyse Burkert with 11.

"This was not an easy match," said Temple head coach Bakeer Ganes, "despite the record of Cincinnati. They are a much better team than their record shows. We knew going in it would be a tough match. I'm glad we performed well enough to compete and get the win. The freshmen did a good job today, Caroline and Tyler. Gabby was struggling a little because they keyed on her but we got enough from others to be successful.

"Every match in this conference is tough and every win is an important win. I'm very glad we got this win so we can focus on the next opponent and go from there."

Temple made an impressive run on its way to winning the first set, as the Owls trailed 16-11 before coming back to tie it at 16-16. The score was tied again at 19 before Temple closed on a 6-1 run that included two kills from Burkert, including the set-winner. She finished with five kills in the first set, as did Grattan, with both players also recording four digs.

The second set was neck-and-neck throughout, with 12 ties and seven lead changes. Temple led by two at 19-17 but Cincinnati then scored three straight to lead 20-19. After the 12th tie at 23-23, back-to-back kills for the Bearcats ended the set in their favor, 25-23.

Grattan had another strong performance in the second set, and at the end of it she had recorded 10 kills with only a single error for the match. Iacobini also stepped it up in the second set with five kills and two service aces.

The Owls out-hit Cincinnati .333 to.143 on their way to winning the third set, 25-19. Matautia knocked down five kills to lead all players in the set, while Sydlik came up with another two aces. She served through a 6-0 run that gave Temple a lead early on that the Owls would not relinquish.

Temple knocked down 17 kills to Cincinnati's 13 in the fourth set, and led most of the way. An impressive six players had between two and four kills to balance the offense, and Iacobini was particularly strong with three kills, six digs, an ace and zero errors.

The Owls will play their next five matches on the road, starting with an 8:00 p.m. (EST) contest at Memphis on Friday, Nov. 8.