(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 15)—McKendree College volleyball coach Evelyn Bean picked up her 200^th coaching victory at the four-year level as the Bearcats swept an American Midwest Conference match Friday at home against the University of Illinois-Springfield. The Bearcats took the match by scores of 30-21, 30-20 and 30-17.

 

Bean pushed her McKendree record to 200-157 as the Bearcats remained perfect in AMC play at 2-0 while climbing above the .500 mark at 4-3 overall. Now in her 10^th season, Bean is the all-time wins leader at McKendree. Prior to coming to McKendree, she posted 261 victories at Lewis and Clark Community College.

 

“I told the players in the locker room if you hang around long enough and have good players in your program, things like this happen,” said Bean of her milestone win. “It would not have been possible without all the players who have worked so hard in the McKendree uniform. This is a really special moment.”

 

Senior outside hitter Codi Dempster (Poplar Bluff, Mo./Twin Rivers) (Poplar Bluff, Mo./Twin Rivers) led the offensive attack for McKendree with 11 kills against Illinois-Springfield. Freshman outside hitter Lisa Witte (St. Charles, Mo./St. Charles) (St. Charles, Mo./St. Charles) chipped in with nine attacks and three solo blocks. Junior setter Allison DeGroot (Highland, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland) posted 34 assists, while junior setter Hannah Burleson (Dexter, Mo./Dexter) (Dexter, Mo./Dexter) contributed a team-high 24 digs. Junior outside hitter Courtney Aldridge (Dupo, Ill./Dupo) (Dupo, Ill./Dupo) was right behind Burleson with 23 digs.

 

Danielle Crossen and Megan Naborowski led a balanced attack for Illinois-Springfield (6-9, 0-2 AMC) with nine kills each. Christine Wenthe had a team-leading 12 assists for the Prairie Stars.

 

McKendree will be in St. Charles, Mo., on Saturday for a tri-match at Lindenwood University. The Bearcats will face Missouri Valley College at 3:30 p.m. before taking on the host Lions at 6 p.m.

 

 

 

McKendree                       30         30         30

Illinois-Springfield           21         20         17

 

McKendree is now 4-3 overall and 2-0 in the American Midwest Conference

Illinois-Springfield is now 6-9 overall and 0-2 in the American Midwest Conference

 

McKendree head coach Evelyn Bean earned her 200^th career victory – she is now 200-157 at McKendree