(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 26)—The McKendree University volleyball team split a pair of home matches Friday at the Melvin Price Convocation Center. The Bearcats swept William Woods University in an American Midwest Conference match before dropping a four-set thriller to Central Methodist University.

The split leaves the Bearcats with an overall record of 7-6. McKendree has won three straight AMC matches to improve to 3-2 in the conference. The Bearcats will host Fontbonne University Saturday at 10 a.m. before taking on Harris-Stowe State University in an AMC tilt at 2 p.m.

Against William Woods, McKendree used another balanced attack to sweep the Owls. The Bearcats posted the victory by scores of 25-16, 25-22 and 25-20.

Junior outside hitter Dani Collins (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) and freshman outside hitter Kaitlin Kollman (Collinsville, Ill./Metro-East Lutheran) shared team-high honors with six blocks. Sophomore middle hitter Carrie Brickey (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) was right behind with five attacks. Brickey also posted a team-best five blocks.

Senior setter Dana Maedge (Highland, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland) registered 15 assists, while junior libero Lauren Sarver (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap) (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap) collected 18 digs.

In the match against Central Methodist, McKendree dropped the first two contests before rallying to take the third set. However, the visiting Eagles rebounded to win the fourth set and the match. Central Methodist earned the win by scores of 25-21, 25-17, 23-25 and 25-18.

Kaitlin Kollman and senior middle hitter Katelyn Kombrink (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) each had a team-high 10 kills, while Kombrink added four blocks. Dana Maedge (Highland, Ill./Highland) handed out 20 assists and freshman setter Melissa Bayer (Collinsville, IL/Triad) (Collinsville, Ill./Triad) was right behind with 18 assists. Lauren Sarver (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap) had 17 digs, while sophomore defensive specialist Lindsay Gray (Lebanon, Ill./Lebanon) chipped in with 14 digs and a team-leading three service aces.

McKENDREE UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL RESULTS

FRIDAY, SEPT. 26 AT LEBANON, ILL.

TEAM                                       1          2          3

McKendree                               25         25         25

William Woods                          16         22         20

TEAM                                       1          2          3          4

Central Methodist                      25         25         23         25

McKendree                               21         17         25         18

McKendree is now 7-6 overall and 3-2 in the American Midwest Conference.

-McK-