(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 19)—The McKendree University women's volleyball team scored a 3-0 sweep over No. 21 Rockhurst University Saturday evening in the semifinal round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament in East Peoria, IL. The Bearcats won by scores of 25-23, 25-23, and 25-17.

The win moves McKendree to 23-9 on the season, and was the first time this season that the 21^st ranked Hawks were topped in three sets. The Bearcats return to action tomorrow afternoon with first serve set for noon as McKendree takes on Truman State University for the GLVC Championship. With the win the Bearcats return the GLVC final for the second time in the past three seasons as they look to avenge a 3-2 loss against the Bulldogs from 2014. 

Head coach Nickie Sanlin was ecstatic with her teams performance, and excited the opportunity that remains.

"Every good or bad moment throughout the season has shaped who this team is today," said Sanlin.  "I couldn't be more proud of the work ethic, heart, and effort each young lady on this team has given to the program. This win tonight puts us one step closer to our goals. I'm honored to coach this team and to call myself a Bearcat."

The Bearcats were paced by junior outside hitter Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) and senior outside hitter Allison Schneider (St. Louis, MO/Lindbergh) who combined for 43 kills on 83 attacks. Williams put down 22 to go with 11 digs, while Schneider tallied 21 to pair with 15 digs. Junior right side Amanda Geiger (Tomball, TX/Concordia Lutheran) put down seven kills and junior middle blocker Carissa Lorenz (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way West) put down four of her nine attempts adding three blocks.

Sophomore setter Morgan Melchert (Mt. Vernon, IA/Mt. Vernon) dished out a match high 27 assists while senior setter Aubry Dickmann (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) recorded 22 assists and six digs. Senior middle hitter Sophie Fairman (Staunton, IL/Staunton) put down a match high four blocks, while senior defensive specialist Breanna Howe (Mt. Pulaski, IL/Mt. Pulaski) and freshman libero Alissa Zeitelhack (Overland Park, KS/Blue Valley West) combined for 24 digs to anchor the Bearcats from the back row.

After falling behind 6-3 in the first set, Schneider scorched three straight kills for McKendree, which opened a 6-1 run that was capped off by a pair of kills from Williams to give the Bearcats a 8-7 lead. The Hawks regained control at 10-9 before Williams and Schneider each tallied two more kills to knot the set at 13. Rockhurst used a 3-0 run to go up by three before a 7-0 spree from the Bearcats that featured a pair of kills from Williams, Schneider, and Fairman put McKendree in front 20-16. The Hawks cut the lead to two points at 22-20, but the Bearcats countered with kills from Melchert, Lorenz, and Schneider to take the first set by two.

Rockhurst started strong in the second set with an early 6-2 lead before moving ahead 12-7. McKendree bounced back with three straight as Williams sandwiched a pair of kills around an ace from Dickmann. A block from the Hawks moved the margin to three before the Bearcats rattled off six straight points including a kill and a block from Geiger along with a pair of kills from Schneider and a kill from Williams. Rockhurst rallied to tie the set at 16 all, but McKendree put down three straight points to move back in front 20-17. The Hawks pulled within one point at 20-19, but Williams and Lorenz scored two kills apiece to earn the win in the second set.

The Bearcats came out firing after intermission as Geiger put down a pair of kills to give McKendree an early 6-1 lead. The Hawks responded with a 5-1 run to cut the lead to 9-8, but the Bearcats roared back with an identical run to push the lead back to five after a trio of kills from Williams. Rockhurst once again clawed back within two at 16-14, but McKendree kept its foot on the gas using an 8-1 run to take a commanding 24-15 lead that forced match point. The Hawks scored back to back points, but were unable to overcome the deficit as the Bearcats completed the sweep with an eight point win.