(COLUMBIA, Mo., Oct. 24)—The McKendree University volleyball team was defeated in an American Midwest Conference match Wednesday at Columbia College. The Bearcats and split the first two games with Columbia before the host Cougars pulled away to take the final two games and the match. Columbia won by scores of 31-29, 24-30, 30-21 and 30-17.

 

The loss gives the Bearcats a 20-13 overall record and an 8-5 mark in AMC play. McKendree will have six days off before returning to the court Oct. 30 at William Woods University. Match time in Fulton, Mo., will be at 7 p.m.

 

At Columbia, junior middle hitter Katelyn Kombrink (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) led a balanced attack for McKendree with nine kills. Kombrink also had a team-high five service aces, giving her 61 for the season. Kombrink is tied for third on the Bearcats’ single-season aces list with Melissa Dorsey, who had 61 aces in 1991.

 

Sophomore outside hitter Dani Collins (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) chipped in with six kills and a team-leading six blocks. Senior setter Allison DeGroot (Highland, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland) and sophomore outside hitter Lisa Witte (St. Charles, Mo./St. Charles) (St. Charles, Mo./St. Charles) each posted five kills, while Witte added a team-best 16 digs and DeGroot notched 15 assists.

 

 

Columbia           31         24         30         30

McKendree        29         30         21         17

 

McKendree is now 20-13 overall and 8-5 in the American Midwest Conference.