CONTACT: Scott Cummings, (618) 537-6879 or secummin@mckendree.edu

 

(ST. CHARLES, Mo., Oct. 5)—The McKendree University volleyball team dropped a pair of matches Friday at the Lindenwood University Classic in St. Charles, Mo. The Bearcats were swept in both matches, falling to Baker University and William Jewell College.

 

The losses extend McKendree’s losing streak to three matches as the team slips to 15-5 on the year. The Bearcats will return to action Saturday at the Lindenwood Classic against Benedictine College and Evangel University.

 

McKendree battled Baker to the wire in the first two games before the Wildcats took control in the third and final game to pull away for a 30-28, 31-29 and 30-19 victory. Sophomore outside hitter Lisa Witte (St. Charles, Mo./St. Charles) (St. Charles, Mo./St. Charles) led the way for McKendree with 15 kills, while sophomore outside hitter Dani Collins (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) chipped in with 10 attacks. Junior middle hitter Katelyn Kombrink (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) also contributed nine kills and six blocks for the Bearcats.

 

Senior libero Courtney Aldridge (Dupo, Ill./Dupo) (Dupo, Ill./Dupo) posted a team-leading 19 digs, while senior setter Allison DeGroot (Highland, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland) added 13 digs and a team-best 22 assists.

 

The Bearcats were edged by William Jewell in the first game of the final match of the day, 32-30, before the Cardinals held McKendree in check over the final two games, 30-17 and 30-22. Kombrink and Collins each collected 10 kills to lead the Bearcats, while Kombrink added four blocks. Aldridge and DeGroot both had a team-high 15 digs, while DeGroot and junior setter Dana Maedge (Highland, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland) each handed out 15 assists.

 

 

Baker                  30         31         30

McKendree        28         29         19

 

William Jewell    32         30         30

McKendree          30         17         22

 

McKendree is now 15-5 overall