Michigan
2-0,0-0Big Ten
Cincinnati
1-1,0-0Big 12
Wolverines Take Down Host Cincinnati in Tribute to #10 Tournament
8/31/2025 4:10:00 PM | Volleyball
» Michigan beat Cincinnati in four sets, winning the deciding fourth frame 25-20.
» Lydia Johnson was errorless on the day with 13 kills on 22 swings.
» Morgan Burke tallied a double-double with 24 assists and 12 digs.
» Middle blockers Jenna Hanes and Serena Nyambio combined for 16 kills, two errors and nine blocks.
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The University of Michigan volleyball team defeated host Cincinnati, 3-1, (25-27, 25-17, 25-17, 25-20) to close out the Tribute to #10 on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 31) at Fifth Third Arena.
Michigan (2-0) had three attackers with double-digit kills, led by Allison Jacobs with 15. Lydia Johnson topped the Wolverines in efficiency, hitting at a .591 clip, while recording 13 kills on 22 swings with no errors. Amalia Simmons recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 10 digs while setter Morgan Burke also added a double-double, collecting 24 assists and 12 digs. Burke's second assist of the match moved her into 10th all-time in program history. U-M's middle blockers Jenna Hanes and Serena Nyambio also contributed, combining for 16 kills with two errors on 27 swings and nine blocks.
Cincinnati (1-1) took an early 2-0 lead, but Michigan tied the match with an ace from Maddi Cuchran. The Bearcats inched ahead 5-4; however, a 5-0 run, sparked by two kills from Nyambio and an ace from Jacobs, put Michigan on top. The Wolverines held the lead through most of the first set, but Cincinnati chipped away and went on a 5-1 run to close the gap to 22-21. A Bearcat service error and a kill from Jacobs gave Michigan set point, but Cincinnati used a 5-1 surge to win the first frame 27-25.
The second set featured seven ties before a 3-0 Michigan run, which included kills from Hanes and a solo block from Nyambio, gave U-M the largest lead of the set so far. Michigan added to its advantage, taking five of the next eight points with kills from Sydney Schnichels, Nyambio and Jacobs. The Bearcats rallied, but U-M closed out the set 25-17, taking the final three points with a Nyambio solo block sandwiched by kills from Jacobs.
U-M dropped the first two points of the third set but went on a 4-0 run, highlighted by a block from Johnson and Hanes, and kept the lead the rest of the way. Cincinnati brought the set to within one at 9-8, but a kill from Schnichels kept U-M in front, while a solo block from Hanes extended the advantage to 11-8. Michigan then took seven of nine points to increase the lead to 19-11, as Simmons tallied two kills and Johnson and Hanes both added a block and a kill. The Bearcats scored the next two points, but U-M reached set point after a bad set. Cincinnati held off Michigan three times but a service error gave U-M a 25-17 set three win.
A 5-1 opening run for Michigan put the Wolverines in a strong spot in set four and they kept the lead the rest of the way. Johnson tallied three kills during the run and Jacobs tallied the next two, putting U-M up 7-4. The Bearcats brought the score to within one at 13-12 and tied the match at 14, but a kill from Nyambio put Michigan back in front. A kill from Simmons and an ace from Trixie McMillin gave U-M a much-needed buffer, as the Bearcats got within one point two more times. A kill from Johnson gave U-M a 23-19 lead and Jacobs recorded her final kill to lead Michigan to set point. A Cincinnati attack error ended the match with U-M winning the fourth set 25-20 and the match 3-1.
Michigan hosts Eastern Michigan in its 2025 home opener on Tuesday (Sept. 2) at 7 p.m. at Crisler Center. The match will stream live on B1G+.
