(East Peoria, Ill., Nov. 18) -- The McKendree Bearcats fell to the Rockhurst University Hawks (28-6 overall) in the GLVC Tournament semifinals on Saturday afternoon (14-25, 26-28, 25-22, 19-25).

The 2017 GLVC Player of the Year, Amanda Geiger, led the Bearcats with 20 kills, and contributed 12 digs, while senior Arela Williams recorded 16 kills. Sophomore libero Kelly Voss collected a team-high 17 digs, and senior Carissa Lorenz put down eight total blocks.

The Hawks built a 15-8 advantage in the first, and McKendree was unable to recover, dropping the opening set by 11 points.

In the second set, with the Bearcats up 14-12, Rockhurst responded with a string of six consecutive points to take the lead. McKendree fought back to tie the score at 26 a-piece, but an ace for senior libero Anne Hellwege gave the Hawks a 2-0 advantage in sets.

In a must win situation, the Bearcats doubled up the Hawks at 10-5 to start the third set. Rockhurst responded with an 8-3 scoring run to even the set. McKendree then took a slim lead and held on to it, with a kill by Geiger polishing off the set at 25-22.

With the score tied at 13 all, Rockhurst put together another 8-3 run, and coasted to a 25-19 set win. A service ace for freshman outside hitter Audrey Arand put the match away, with the Hawks taking the victory 3-1.

The Bearcats (23-8 overall) will now await their post-season fate, as the NCAA Division II Selection Show will take place on Monday, November 18^th. They were ranked #2 in the Midwest Regional poll heading into the weekend, with the GLVC, GLIAC and GMAC conference tournament champions receiving automatic bids, along with five at-large teams to round-out the regional field.