Maria Mallon and the University of Cincinnati women's volleyball team sat in the second row of seats at Fifth Third Arena Thursday morning. On the jumbotron, UC alumna Jordan Thompson played on the Olympic stage. On the floor below it, Thompson's former college court remained.
“It’s a different kind of experience. We’re currently standing in front of our home court right now where we played with her … and now we’re watching her on TV playing with the best people in the world against the best teams in the world," said Mallon, who played with Thompson for three years at UC.