PEORIA, Ill. -- Cincinnati dominated play at the net, tallying 22 blocks and forcing 35 Bradley attack errors, as the Bearcats defeated Bradley 30-16, 30-15, 30-20 in what turned out to be the championship match of the 2006 Radisson Hotel Invitational Saturday night at Robertson Memorial Field House.

Myanna Hellsten led a strong defensive effort for the Bearcats, recording 13 blocks (one block solo and 12 block assists) to help Cincinnati post a 22-3 edge in blocks. Cincinnati also outdug the Braves 45-44 and limited Bradley to a -.067 hitting percentage on the evening.

Senior Kelly Niemeyer and junior Nikki Pierzchala tied for team-high honors with seven kills each to lead Bradley, which evened its record at 3-3 with the loss. Niemeyer also tied with fellow senior Jennifer Bohan for match-high honors with 13 digs. Both Niemeyer and Bohan were named to the all-tournament team.

Tournament MVP Jessica Elley led all players with 13 kills and added 11 digs to help lead Cincinnati (5-1 overall) to the team title. Joining Elley on the all-tournament team for the Bearcats were Jenny Custer and Jessie Nevitt. Custer finished with four kills, seven digs and five block assists against Bradley, while Nevitt chipped in with five kills and nine blocks against the Braves.

Completing the all-tournament team were Ashley Genslak from Austin Peay and Western Illinois setter Sarah Trimpe. Earlier this afternoon Austin Peay defeated Western Illinois in three games to finish third in the final tournament standings behind Cincinnati and Bradley.

Bradley returns to action Friday at the Wildcat Classic in Tucson, Ariz. The Braves will open tournament play against 18th-ranked Arizona Friday at noon (CDT). Friday's match against the Wildcats will be available to bubraves.tv subscribers on the Bradley Athletics website.