(SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Nov. 5)—The McKendree University volleyball team wrapped up the American Midwest Conference portion of its 2008 season with a three-set loss Wednesday evening at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The Prairie Stars swept the match by scores of 25-14, 25-19 and 25-14.

The Bearcats move to 16-16 on the year and finish AMC regular-season play at 9-7. McKendree will be the No. 5 seed in next week's AMC Tournament and will have a quarterfinal match on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at William Woods University.

First, McKendree will close out the 2008 regular season Thursday at home with a non-conference match against Webster University. First serve is set for 7 p.m.

At Illinois-Springfield, junior outside hitter Dani Collins (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) led McKendree with six kills. Senior setter Dana Maedge (Highland, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland) handed out nine assists and added two service aces. Junior outside hitter Andrea Lucas (Festus, Mo./Festus) (Festus, Mo./Festus) and junior libero Lauren Sarver (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap) (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap) each collected a team-high 11 digs for the Bearcats.

Stephanie George and Sarah Cooper each had eight kills to lead the way for Illinois-Springfield, which improves to 17-21 overall and 10-6 in the AMC. The Prairie Stars locked up the No. 3 seed in the AMC Tournament.

McKENDREE UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL RESULT

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 5 AT SPRINGFIELD, ILL.

Teams                                       1          2          3

Illinois-Springfield                       25         25         25

McKendree                               14         19         14

McKendree is now 16-16 overall and 9-7 in the American Midwest Conference

Illinois-Springfield is now 17-21 overall and 10-6 in the American Midwest Conference

-McK-