(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 12)—The McKendree University volleyball team suffered a pair of losses in a tri-match Friday at home. The Bearcats lost in five games to AMC rival the University of Illinois at Springfield before Trevecca Nazarene University defeated the Bearcats in four games.

 

The losses send McKendree to 17-8 overall, while the loss to Illinois-Springfield gives the Bearcats a 6-3 mark in AMC play. McKendree will return to action Saturday with another tri-match at the Melvin Price Convocation Center, with the Bearcats meeting Trevecca Nazarene at 11 a.m. before taking on Lindenwood University at 3 p.m.

 

Against Illinois-Springfield, McKendree built a 2-1 match lead after three games. But the visiting Prairie Stars rallied to take the final two games and the match by scores of 30-27, 19-30, 26-30, 30-26 and 15-8.

 

Junior middle hitter Katelyn Kombrink (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) led the offensive attack for McKendree with 17 kills. She also had a match-high seven service aces. Sophomore outside hitter Dani Collins (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) chipped in with 15 kills, while senior right-side hitter Jenilyn Wahlig (New Athens, Ill./New Athens) (New Athens, Ill./New Athens) helped out with 11 kills.

 

Senior setter Allison DeGroot (Highland, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland) notched 30 assists, and junior setter Dana Maedge (Highland, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland) posted 22 sets. DeGroot handled a team-best 32 digs as senior defensive specialist Hannah Burleson (Dexter, Mo./Dexter) (Dexter, Mo./Dexter) had 26 digs. Senior middle hitter Angie Clark (Charleston, Mo./Charleston) had a team-high seven blocks for McKendree.

 

Trevecca Nazarene dropped the first game against the Bearcats before rallying to take the final three games and the match. The visiting Trojans won by scores of 27-30, 30-21, 30-26 and 30-19.

 

Jenilyn Wahlig (New Athens, Ill./New Athens) led McKendree with 10 kills as Katelyn Kombrink (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) posted eight attacks. Allison DeGroot (Highland, Ill./Highland) led the Bearcats with 22 assists and 18 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Brittany Schrage (Aviston, Ill./Breese Central) (Aviston, Ill./Breese Central) and junior right-side hitter Lindsay Amerson (Chatham, Ill./Glenwood) (Chatham, Ill./Glenwood) each posted 15 digs. Angie Clark (Charleston, Mo./Charleston) registered a team-best five blocks for McKendree.

 

 

Illinois-Springfield           30         19         26         30         15

McKendree                    27         30         30         26         8

 

Trevecca Nazarene         27         30         30         30

McKendree                    30         21         26         19

 

McKendree is now 17-8 overall and 6-3 in the American Midwest Conference