(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 6)—A balanced offensive attack and a late comeback in the fourth and final set enabled the McKendree University volleyball team to defeat Webster University in the 2008 regular season finale for both teams Thursday in Lebanon.

Junior outside hitter Dani Collins (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) had a team-high 11 kills, while senior middle hitter Katelyn Kombrink (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) and senior right-side hitter Lindsay Amerson (Chatham, Ill./Glenwood) (Chatham, Ill./Glenwood) each connected for 10 kills as McKendree wrapped up its regular-season slate with an overall record of 17-16. The Bearcats have the No. 5 seed in next week's American Midwest Conference Tournament and will travel to Fulton, Mo., on Tuesday to face No. 4 seed William Woods University in a quarterfinal contest. First serve is at 7 p.m.

The Bearcats were up two sets to one, but trailed for most of the fourth set. McKendree rallied from a five-point deficit midway through the set to even the score at 18-18. Webster (21-5) answered with three straight points to regain a 21-18 advantage.

From that point, McKendree took control. The Bearcats scored the final seven points of the match to pull out the victory. A block winner by Amerson tied the match at 21-21 before a hitting error by Webster put McKendree in front for good. Amerson sealed the win with a kill on match point.

Senior setter Dana Maedge (Highland, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland) registered a team-high 28 assists, while freshman setter Melissa Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad) (Collinsville, Ill./Triad) notched 13. Junior outside hitter Andrea Lucas (Festus, Mo./Festus) (Festus, Mo./Festus) handled a team-leading 22 digs as Maedge posted 15 and junior libero Lauren Sarver (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap) (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap) collected 15 digs.

Kombrink finished the night with three service aces to boost her career total to 186. She stands two aces shy of the Bearcats' all-time mark of 188, which was set by Melissa Dorsey from 1991-94.

McKendree was able to complete a season sweep of Webster with Thursday's win. The Bearcats swept the Gorloks in the first match of the regular season back on Sept. 3.

McKENDREE UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL RESULT

THURSDAY, NOV. 6 AT LEBANON, ILL.

Teams                                      1           2           3           4

McKendree                                25         20         25         25

Webster                                    20         25         22         21

McKendree is now 17-16 overall

Webster is now 21-5 overall

-McK-